Tooth discoloration happens to the best of us. No matter how hard we try to avoid it, it happens.
It happens to people of all habits and, not just smokers (however if you smoke, you are putting yourself at increased risk for it).
There are plenty of other occurrences that cause tooth discoloration and some of them may surprise you. They sure surprised me.
Smoking is of course the number one culprit. While it may be the most obvious, it is also the most overlooked. Many smokers concentrate more on the activity of smoking rather than the effects of smoking. Why else would so many people continue to smoke even though it is a proven cancer causing activity? If the fear of developing cancer doesn’t stop them, why would tooth discoloration.
Certain foods and drinks come in as a close second cause of discolored teeth. Dark berries, red wine and coffee are all known for their yellow causing reputation, however one drink that may surprise you is carrot juice. That’s right, carrot juice! A good suggestion for avoiding discoloration is to drink your drink of choice through a straw to minimize contact with teeth. As for edibles, rinse your mouth out with water after indulging to rinse away the color.
Now for the cause that surprised me the most. Drum roll please…
Medications! Yes you read that correctly. The medications you are taking to improve your health could also wreak havoc on the color of your pearly whites. The antibiotics Tetracycline and Doxycycline are known to cause a purple tint on your teeth. Usually this only happens in children whose teeth are still developing. Medications that affect all ages include antihistamines, antipsychotic drugs, and drugs for high blood pressure.
Whatever the reason for your teeth discoloration, there are ways to combat the problem. Visit your local drug store for whitening strips or trays. In more severe cases of tooth discoloration, you may want to ask your dentist what you can do. They usually have the answers!