| One of the main causes of tooth discolouration is | | | | Amoxicillin, tetracycline and doxycycline antibiotics can |
| consuming tobacco products and chromogenic foods | | | | also cause superficial staining of the teeth especially |
| and drinks (food and beverages that have the ability to | | | | when given to children under the age of eight whose |
| produce a staining effect on teeth). Coffee, tea, cola, | | | | teeth are still developing. Pregnant women who take |
| red wine and certain fruits and vegetables (apples and | | | | tetracycline and doxycycline may give birth to a child |
| potatoes for example) are all chromogenic agents and | | | | with bright yellow teeth that eventually turn grey or |
| can stain your teeth. The cumulative effect of the use | | | | brown over time. |
| of tobacco products such as cigarettes, cigars, pipes | | | | Minocycline used for the treatment of acne, is another |
| and chewing tobacco can cause tooth staining. The | | | | medication that can cause discolouration of the teeth. |
| severity of the staining in smokers depends on the | | | | Long term use of minocycline causes teeth to turn |
| duration and frequency of the habit. | | | | green/grey or blue/grey which rarely corrects itself |
| Tooth discolouration can also be caused by poor | | | | even after stopping the medication. |
| dental hygiene. Inadequate brushing and flossing to | | | | Other medications cause intrinsic stains (stains that are |
| remove plaque and stain-producing substances, such | | | | permanent and interfere with the formation of the |
| as coffee and tobacco, can cause tooth discolouration. | | | | teeth). Fluoride, known recognized to reduce the |
| Several diseases that affect enamel (the hard surface | | | | chances of dental decay in children and adults, can |
| of the teeth) and dentin (the material under the | | | | cause teeth to discolour when taking in excess, |
| enamel) can lead to tooth discolouration. In addition, | | | | causing the enamel of the tooth to change. The most |
| treatments for certain conditions, such as head and | | | | common adverse effect of excessive fluoride is |
| neck radiation and chemotherapy, can affect tooth | | | | dental fluorosis. In mild forms it appears as small, white |
| colour. Some infections in pregnant mothers can also | | | | flecks that are barely visible. In acute cases it ranges |
| cause tooth discolouration in the infant by affecting | | | | between white opaque marks to dark stains and |
| enamel development. | | | | pitting. |
| Medications are another cause of tooth discolouration. | | | | Teeth can also discolour with advancing age. Tooth |
| Mouth washes containing chlorohexidine and | | | | discolouration in older people is generally caused by the |
| cetylpyridinium chloride, antihistamines, antipsychotic | | | | enamel that covers the teeth getting thinner which |
| drugs and antihypertensive medications are known to | | | | allows the dentin to show through. The dentin also |
| cause discolouration of teeth. | | | | naturally yellows over time adding to the discolouration. |