Tooth ColorWhat does it say about your health?
Tooth color reflects your overall health. Color changes can be a warning of mouth problems or a sign of more serious illnesses in your body. Dental technologist Alen Zhang emphasizes that teeth show early signs of diseases, and early detection of color changes using tools like intraoral cameras can help prevent more serious issues. He says that early detection of tooth color change is an easy and effective way to maintain long-term health. Caring for your teeth color and regular visits to the dentist are important steps to protect your overall health.
The connection between tooth color and hidden diseases
Next, in this section ofSelMagzWe will discuss the most common tooth color changes and what each one means scientifically.
Yellow stains on teeth
Yellowing of teeth is a common phenomenon often linked to regular consumption of pigmented drinks like tea and coffee, or tobacco use. This color change can also indicate more serious health problems, including liver dysfunction. When the liver cannot perform its functions properly, a substance called bilirubin accumulates in the body, and increased levels can cause teeth to change color.
Gray teeth
Color change to gray or dull tones can be a sign of tooth death, which, in addition to physical damage, may be related to underlying diseases like celiac disease. Celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder, affects nutrient absorption and can prevent proper enamel formation, leading to permanent discoloration of teeth. Fortunately, dentists can use cosmetic restoration techniques like veneers and bonding to cover these imperfections and improve the appearance of teeth.
Brown spots and streaks
The appearance of brown spots on the surface of teeth can be a warning sign of the beginning of decay, which can be caused by a condition called fluorosis. This occurs when, during tooth development (usually in childhood), a person is exposed to too much fluoride. Accurate diagnosis of these color changes is important to choose the best treatment and prevention methods.
Blue or gray teeth in childhood
Using certain antibiotics, especially tetracyclines, during childhood when teeth are forming and growing can cause permanent discoloration of the teeth’s tissues. These drugs can penetrate the developing enamel and dentin, leaving behind gray, blue, brown, or yellow spots or lines that are usually irreversible.
White chalky spots on teeth
Many believe that the whitest teeth are the healthiest, but the presence of white chalky spots on the surface of teeth can be a warning sign of the beginning ofTooth decayor even a defect in enamel formation.
One lesser-known cause of enamel defects is linked toCeliac diseasewhich is a serious autoimmune disorder where the immune system reacts to gluten (a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye).
Black teeth
Severe darkening of teeth often indicates a serious dental health problem. This can be due to advanced tooth decay or pulp necrosis (death of the tooth’s soft tissue). Pulp necrosis involves death of the inner soft tissue that contains blood vessels and nerves, and if untreated, it can lead to serious and widespread infections. Rarely, black teeth may also result from excessive contact with heavy metals.
Stained enamel
Matting of enamel or mottled teeth, which is a dental anomaly, can indicate genetic disorders. One of these conditions is amelogenesis imperfecta, which affects the formation and structure of enamel. This disorder can cause changes in enamel color (white, yellow, brown, or gray), thinning of enamel, or increased wear.
This disorder can lead to changes in enamel color, thinning, or enhanced erosion.
