Just like hair and skin color, people are born with varying shades of tooth color. Over time, the shade of your teeth can also be affected by a host of factors including:

• Food and drinks: Wine, coffee, colas, juice, tea, and sports drinks contain dyes and tannins which can change the color of your teeth. Berries, candy, balsamic vinegar, ketchup, pickles, and popsicles are just a few examples of foods that can wreak havoc on the whiteness of your teeth.
• Tobacco use: Both cigarette smoking and chewing tobacco cause discoloration of teeth.
• Medications: Antibiotics such as doxycycline and tetracycline have shown to cause tooth discoloration when given to young children. Certain antihistamines, high blood pressure medications, and antipsychotic drugs have also been noted to cause tooth darkening.
• Disease: Both chemotherapy and radiation treatments, as well as certain infections in pregnant mothers, can cause changes in coloring of teeth.
• Age: As you age, enamel wears away and teeth accumulate tartars and stains, causing them to discolor and darken.
• Environment: Excess amounts of fluoride that can often be found in your water effects the coloration of teeth. Additionally, excessive use of fluoride supplements, toothpaste, and rinses can cause unwanted yellowing.
• Trauma: A fall or blow causing damage to the nerves can cause discoloration in both children with developing teeth and adults with permanent teeth.
• Poor oral hygiene: Infrequent or ineffective dental hygiene or neglecting regular dental cleanings can cause teeth to turn gray, yellow, brown, or even black.

When determining if teeth whitening is right for you, consider that the color of your teeth should closely match the whites of your eyes. If your teeth have darkened due to any of these factors, professional teeth whitening may be the path to achieving a whiter smile. A visit to your dentist can help you determine both the cause of your tooth discoloration, and the best and most effective means of treatment to achieve the brightest, most natural smile.

If you are looking for professional teeth whiting in Toronto, contact our dental office today to learn about our whitening options.  We look forward in seeing you.