The light reflected off the outermost layers of the teeth (called enamel), and the shade of the soft layers (or dentin) beneath create the color of our teeth. Some genetic factors can give people less enamel and visible dentin; however other factors can influence the smile’s color. They include:

• • Beverages like coffee, red wine, tea, and colas – The enamel of your teeth is porous, which means it’s sensitive to drinks and food like these that contain chromogens. These substances could stain teeth.
  • Nicotine and tar in tobacco products are known tooth staining causes.
  • Certain medications and medical treatments Chemotherapy, radiation on the neck and head, and medicines such as antihistamines and antipsychotics and medicines for high blood pressure are among the medications that have been proven to cause darkening of teeth.
  • Aging – The enamel of our teeth naturally thins as we get older and allows more of the dentin beneath to appear apparent.
  • Trauma or tooth decay – The body’s natural response after a tooth trauma is to produce more yellow dentin, which may show through the thin enamel.

If you need restorations to your teeth, like crowns, veneers, bridges, dentures, or bridges, we recommend whitening the teeth before getting them. These products are designed to protect against staining so that bleaching treatments won’t work on these items. They’re also colored to match your teeth, so bleaching your teeth before you start will guarantee that they are well-integrated.