Common Causes Of Tooth Discoloration - Information On Dental Care
By Daniel Beasley
We’ve all seen them: the women and men in magazine ads who have sparkling white teeth. Magazine ads always look better than reality, unfortunately, and most people do not have the bleached white teeth that the models have in the magazines. Tooth discoloration is something that the majority of the population has to deal with, and most aren’t even sure why their discolored teeth are not at their pearly white best.

There are a variety of things that can cause tooth discoloration in people. The first is called extrinsic discoloration. The outermost layer of the tooth often experiences stains, in large part to the foods we eat and the beverages we drink. Those who drink a great deal of dark drinks, such as coffee, cola, or even wine, may have to deal with extrinsic stains. These stains can also be caused by frequent smoking.


Intrinsic discoloration is when the tooth is stained from the inside out. The inside of the tooth (called dentin) sometimes darkens, if a child has been exposed to excessive amounts of fluoride from one source or another.

Also, sometimes children who are under the age of 8 and who are given tetracycline antibiotics may notice this type of tooth discoloration in their adult life.

The older you get, the more likely you are to have discolored teeth. This is called age-related discoloration and is a combination of a variety of factors, both intrinsic and extrinsic. Stains that can be caused by food and drinks can color the tooth over time, and because the enamel that covers the teeth tends to get thinner as we age, the dentin starts to show through, causing the teeth to look discolored.

While there are many different causes of tooth discoloration, most of the time a cosmetic dentist will be able to fix the problem and brighten the teeth. Thanks to technology, dentists now have the ability to whiten colored teeth painlessly, allowing even those who are older to be able to enjoy white, bright teeth without having to resort to dentures. Those who are younger with discolored teeth, of course, can almost always be helped by a talented and trained cosmetic dentist.
Considering teeth whitening in Aurora? Contact a Denver cosmetic dentistry center to find out if you are a candidate for in-office whitening. Learn more about your options by speaking directly with an Aurora dentist.