Tooth - abnormal colors

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Tooth anatomy

Abnormal tooth color is anything other than the white to yellowish-white of normal teeth.

Discolored teeth; Tooth discoloration; Tooth pigmentation

Tooth discoloration can be caused by many different factors. Some influence the formation of the enamel, while others cause the staining of enamel. Discoloration may be uniform or may appear as spots or lines in the enamel. Discolored areas may also have a different density and porosity than normal enamel.

Factors influencing tooth color include genetic, congenital (existing at birth), infectious, and environmental. Inherited diseases may influence the thickness of enamel or the calcium or protein content of the enamel. Metabolic diseases (diseases caused by malfunctions in body processes), may cause both abnormalities of color and shape.

Drugs and medications either taken by the mother while pregnant or by the child during the time of tooth development can cause changes in both the color and hardness of the enamel.

• High fever at an age when tooth formation is taking place
• Poor oral hygiene; poor care and cleanliness of the mouth and teeth
• The antibiotic tetracycline given before the age of 8 years
• Excessive fluoride either from environmental sources (natural high water fluoride levels) or from excessive administration (fluoride applications, rinses, toothpaste, and fluoride supplements taken by mouth)
• Severe neonatal jaundice caused by poor liver function as a newborn
• Porphyria , a disease characterized by an excessive production of pigmentation in the body
• Dentinogenesis and amelogenesis imperfecta, genetic defects which affect the enamel of both primary and permanent dentition
• Eating or drinking foods (or fluids) that temporarily stain the teeth, like tea or coffee

Review Date: 08/12/2005
Reviewed By: Johanna Jacobs, D.D.S., General and Cosmetic Dentistry, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.