Discolored Teeth

Many different factors can cause discolored teeth.  The change in color may affect the entire tooth, or just appear as spots or lines in the tooth enamel.  Your genes influence your tooth color. Other factors that can affect tooth color include:

• Congenital diseases
• Environmental factors
• Infections

Inherited diseases may affect the thickness of enamel or the calcium or protein content of the enamel, which can cause color changes. Metabolic diseases may cause changes in tooth color and shape.
Drugs and medications either taken by the mother while pregnant or by the child during the time of tooth development can cause changes in both the color and hardness of the enamel. Common causes of discolored teeth are:

• Antibiotic tetracycline use before age 8
• Eating or drinking items that temporarily stain the teeth, such as tea or coffee
• Genetic defects that affect the tooth enamel, such as dentinogenesis and amelogenesis
• High fever at an age when teeth are forming
• Poor oral hygiene
• Porphyria
• Severe neonatal jaundice
• Too much fluoride from environmental sources (natural high water fluoride levels) or overuse of fluoride rinses, toothpaste, and fluoride supplements

If you have discolored teeth or are unhappy with your smile, contact Scottsdale dentist Dr. James B. Miller at (480) 451-5435.  Dr. Miller can evaluate the discoloration, determine the cause and offer treatment options.