Extrinsic causes for tooth discoloration

• It occurs when the outer layer of the tooth or the enamel is stained.
• Coffee, wine, cola or other drinks or foods can cause teeth stain.
• Smoking is also a cause for the tooth staining. Extrinsic stains are easy to remove.
• Tooth decay
• Broken down filling

Intrinsic causes for tooth discoloration

• This occurs if the inner structure of the tooth that is dentin is darkened or gets stained yellow. Intrinsic stains are difficult to remove and take longer time for removal
• Flurosis: It occurs due to excess of exposure to the fluoride in the childhood
• If the pregnant mother used tetracyclines during pregnancy it causes discoloration in the baby born
• If tetracyclines are used in the children less than 8 years old
• Trauma.
• High fever as a result of child hood infections results in white spots on the teeth due to poor calcification
• Dentinogenesis imperfecta: It is a condition in which the children are born with gray, amber or purple discolorations.
• Loss of nerve supply or blood supply to the tooth
• Porphyrias: In this teeth are discolored brownish red
• Erythroblastosis fetalis: In this teeth are discolored brownish blue

Symptoms of tooth discoloration

• Staining on enamel
• White streaks, yellow tints, brown spots and pits on enamel
• Yellowish discoloration on dentin

Treatment

• Professional tooth cleaning by dentist
• Power bleaching
• Using composite bonding material to cover the tooth
• Veneers are used. These are ceramic shells that cover the outer surfaces of the teeth
• Using ultrasonic scaling machine to remove the stains
• Micro abrasion

Prevention

• Brushing of teeth after every meals
• Flossing your teeth daily
• Avoid drinking colas, avoid smoking
• Avoid eating pan
• Rinsing the mouth after taking coffee, tea, colas, wine