Coffee, tea and red wine are some major staining culprits. Tobacco is another, the tar is naturally dark, and when nicotine is mixed with oxygen it turns yellowish, straining the surface on the teeth.
Age, Trauma and Medications- As we age the outer layer (enamel) gets thinner from wear and more of the yellowish dentin shows through. Any trauma to the mouth may also change the colour of your teeth due to the injury causing more dentin to be layed down. Tooth darkening can also be a side effect of certain medications. Children who are exposed to certain antibiotics, while their teeth are forming may have discoloration of the adult teeth later in life.
Teeth Whitening may not correct all types of discoloration. Yellow teeth will probably whiten well, while brown teeth may not respond as well. Teeth with a gray tone may not whiten at all. Whitening will not work on veneers, crowns or fillings. Please book in for a consult with Dr. Brian Kilduff or Dr. Aaron Bazylak to see if whitening is a good option for you.