Many people dream of a dazzling white smile, but reality often has other plans. Over the years, teeth inevitably lose their original shade, taking on a yellowish or even grayish tone. There are many reasons for this, rooted not only in age but also in our daily habits, the impact of which we sometimes overlook. From a morning cup of coffee to certain medications, numerous factors challenge the whiteness of our enamel every day.
First of all, it’s important to understand that the perfect “Hollywood” white is not natural for most people. The initial shade of teeth is largely determined by genetics and is inherited, much like eye or hair color. In addition, with age, inevitable internal changes occur. Tooth enamel, the hardest layer, gradually becomes thinner, allowing dentin—the tooth’s inner tissue, which naturally has a yellowish tint—to show through. This is why elderly people’s teeth often appear darker.
However, the main factors influencing tooth color are external lifestyle choices. The primary ‘stainers’ are foods and drinks high in pigments. Leading this list are coffee, black and green tea, and red wine. Certain vegetables and fruits, such as beets or berries like cherries and strawberries, can be just as damaging. Even popular spices like turmeric and spirulina can leave their mark on enamel. Smoking is also worth mentioning. Statistics show that 90% of smokers experience tooth discoloration, with hand-rolled cigarettes staining enamel much faster than factory-made ones. But color change is only the tip of the iceberg. Tobacco use can lead to gum disease while masking its symptoms, as it narrows blood vessels and reduces bleeding, making problems harder to detect early.
Some medications can also unexpectedly cause tooth darkening. For example, tetracycline antibiotics, which were widely prescribed several decades ago—including to pregnant women—caused irreversible enamel discoloration in an entire generation. Iron supplements and excess fluoride in drinking water can also affect tooth shade. Unlike medications, certain mouthwashes containing chlorhexidine cause only surface staining. These spots can be removed by a dentist, but it’s important to remember that such products are intended for short-term therapeutic use, not for daily care.
Oral hygiene quality should not be overlooked. Improper or irregular brushing leads to plaque buildup, which over time hardens and gives teeth a yellowish, neglected appearance. This issue affects both adults and young people. Therefore, before considering whitening, it is essential to establish proper hygiene and undergo a professional cleaning by a specialist. Among common mistakes are the use of abrasive toothpastes or “home remedies” such as baking soda with lemon. These methods can cause irreversible damage to the enamel, making it more porous and vulnerable to stains.
When teeth have already changed color, the only safe and effective solution is professional whitening under a dentist’s supervision. A specialist can determine the cause of discoloration and choose the best approach. There are several options: in-office whitening performed at the clinic in a single session; at-home whitening with custom-made trays and a special gel; and a combined method that uses both approaches. In practice, the latter offers the most lasting and durable results. It’s important to understand that any over-the-counter whitening kits purchased without a dentist’s recommendation may not only be ineffective, but also pose risks to dental health.
