Causes and risk factors
The causation of discoloration of teeth can either be extrinsic or intrinsic. Extrinsic factor includes the food and drinks. Excessive consumption of coffee, tea, soda, or red wine can lead to discoloration. Intake of food of extreme temperature also adds to the causation. Smoking and poor dental hygiene like improper brushing or rinsing of mouth causes accumulation of plaques on teeth leading to changes in its color. Discoloration in patches or grey stains is seen particularly in dental fillings with amalgam. Fluorosis is another cause which can lead to discoloration of teeth. Trauma can cause damage to the enamel or even damage to the nerves. In some cases, people are born with tooth discoloration. It is caused due to certain genetic factors. As the age increases, the enamel becomes thin; this in turn can cause tooth discoloration.
Clinical presentation:
Discoloration of teeth is the common complaint which the patient can come up with. The tooth can become yellow, brown, or grey in color. The changes can occur either at the surface or at the interior sections. Overall discoloration can occur or patchy stains can be seen. Accumulation of the plaques can also lead to halitosis. The tooth staining can be of two types – Extrinsic or Intrinsic type. In extrinsic type, surface staining occurs, whereas in the intrinsic type interior sections of the tooth are darkened.
Investigations:
The symptoms narrated by the patient and the local examination carried out by the dentist is sufficient for diagnosis. There is no specific diagnostic test for tooth discoloration.
Treatment:
Maintenance of oral hygiene, regular flossing and brushing of teeth twice daily and avoiding triggering factors are the foremost important things to follow. If brushing does not help in improving the whitening, then other techniques can be helpful. Ultrasonic cleaning can be done which causes lightening of the discoloration. Laser teeth whitening which comprises of peroxide gel and dental veneers are also effective. Dental veneers are wafer like covering which is cemented onto the teeth.
