Why Do Teeth Become Discolored with Age?

Your teeth are tough. In fact, the enamel that covers your teeth is the strongest material in your body and with good oral care, your teeth can last a lifetime. However, eating, drinking, and brushing wears them down, leading to tooth discoloration.

At Solay Dental in Oldsmar, New Port Richey, and Brandon, Florida, our team of dentists specializes in general dental care for people of all ages. We know how aging affects tooth color and offer cosmetic dental treatments to brighten smiles.

Read on to find out why teeth become discolored with age.

Age-related tooth discoloration

Your teeth are more than just bone. In fact, teeth have three layers. 

• Enamel: Outer protective layer made up of calcified tissue, the hardest material in your body. Enamel is translucent and contributes to the color of your teeth.
• Dentin: Under the enamel is the dentin, the core of your teeth. Dentin is stronger than bone, but not as strong as enamel and has a yellow coloring.
• Pulp: Inside your tooth is the pulp, a soft tissue filled with blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue.

The enamel that covers your dentin is durable, but years of eating and brushing take a toll and the layer wears away over time. Thinning of the enamel allows the more yellow dentin to show through, making your teeth appear more yellow than white. 

Other causes of discoloration

Though wear-and-tear is one of the main reasons teeth become discolored with age, it’s not the only cause. Your teeth may discolor from extrinsic (outside) or intrinsic (internal) causes.

Extrinsic causes of tooth discoloration

Food and drink stains, smoking, and poor oral hygiene are extrinsic causes of tooth discoloration. 

Pigmented foods and drinks like blueberries, tomato sauce, and red wine stain the enamel, making them appear darker. Tar and nicotine in tobacco also causes tooth stains, making them dark yellow or brown. 

Skipping your regular teeth cleanings may also cause discoloration, allowing yellow tartar to build up, increasing risk of cavities and gum disease.

Intrinsic causes of tooth discoloration

You can also have discoloration of your teeth from an issue affecting the inside of your teeth. Tooth trauma and treatments like a root canal may change the color of a tooth. Your teeth may also discolor from an underlying illness or certain medications like tetracycline. 

Wearing away the enamel as you get older is also an intrinsic cause of tooth discoloration.

Treatments to brighten your smile

You can’t stop the years from flying by, but improving the look of your teeth may make it look like you found the fountain of youth. We offer many cosmetic dental treatments to brighten discolored teeth, including teething whitening, veneers, dental bonding, and crowns.

Though teeth whitening is effective and popular, it works best with extrinsic tooth discoloration. It uses a special chemical that lifts the external stains to brighten your smile.

For intrinsic tooth discoloration, we need to cover the tooth to brighten the color using veneers, dental bonding, or crowns. Dental implants are a restorative care service option for improving age-related tooth discoloration and tooth loss.

Your teeth may darken in color as you get older, but we can help maintain the look and health of your teeth with our preventive care services. Or, provide cosmetic dental treatments to improve the whiteness of your teeth. 

Are you unhappy about the color of your teeth? Call the office closest to you today or request an appointment online to find out how we can help you.