The 6 MAIN Causes of Tooth Discoloration

RED WINE: Red wine is notorious for staining teeth. The acids in wine eat away at tooth enamel, creating rough spots that make teeth more vulnerable to staining. And it also contains chromogens and tannins, which help the color stick to your teeth.

CHOICE #1: You can continue on as you are, hating your teeth, embarrassed by them and hiding them away for the rest of your life. And let's face it, that's not really an option is it?

TEA/COFFEE: Like wine, tea and coffee are rich in acidity and stain-promoting tannins. Pigments from these dark-colored drinks become embedded in the microscopic pits and ridges of your tooth enamel, causing permanent, yellowing stains on your teeth.

SOFT DRINKS: Acidic and chromogen-rich soft drinks can also cause significant staining. Recent research has found that highly acidic drinks - like sports or energy drinks - can erode tooth enamel, setting the stage for staining. In fact,the acidity in some carbonated drinks is so intense that it actually compares to the acidity in battery acid!

CHOICE #2: You can opt for a dental procedure to fix the problem. But remember, by choosing this option you're taking on a lot of risk, and you'll be expected to pay anything from $1,000 to $3,000. Plus, there's NO GUARANTEE it will even work!

CIGARETTES: Ingredients include ammonia, hydrogen cyanide and carbon monoxide, as well as other poisonous chemicals like nicotine and tar. When a cigarette is lit, these substances start burning, which changes their chemical properties. When inhaled, smoke passes through the mouth, leaving a sticky residue on the teeth, and instant staining.

CHOICE #3: You can try a DIY teeth whitening kit, and run the risk of buying one with DANGEROUS levels of toxic chemicals, which can leave you with anything from prolonged sensitivity, blistering, bleeding, receding gums and throbbing, to damaged tooth enamel, stomach pain, diarrhoea, vomiting and premature tooth decay.

SWEETS: Hard candies, chewing gum, popsicles and other sweets often contain teeth-staining coloring agents. If your tongue turns a funny color, there’s a good chance that your teeth will be affected, too.

ANTIBIOTICS: Tooth staining is also caused by antibiotics, such as tetracycline, which discolours the tooth enamel itself. So if you’ve been heavy on the antibiotics in recent years, there’s a good chance that it has contributed to any discoloration.

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Maryjane Angelo