Discolored Teeth

What Is It?

Teeth can become discolored by stains on the external surface (tooth enamel) or by changes inside the tooth (tooth dentine).

What Causes Discolored Teeth?

External

When the outside enamel layer of the tooth is stained by coffee, wine, food stains, smoking cigarettes

Internal 

When the inner structure of the tooth (the dentine) darkens or gets a yellow tint. You can get this type of discoloration if:

• You had too much exposure to fluoride during early childhood
• Your mother used tetracycline antibiotics during the second half of pregnancy or you used tetracycline antibiotics when you were 8 years old or younger
• You had trauma that affected a tooth and this caused internal bleeding which discolored the tooth
• You were born with a rare condition called dentinogenesis imperfecta which causes gray, amber or purple discolorations

Age-related

This is a combination of external and internal factors. Dentin naturally yellows over time. The enamel that covers the teeth gets thinner with age, which allows the dentin to show through. Foods and smoking also can stain teeth as people get older. Cracked teeth or other injuries can discolor a tooth, especially when the nerve has been damaged.