What Causes Tooth Stains?
Chromogenic foods: The term “chromogenic foods” simply refers to foods that when consumed over time have the ability to produce a staining effect on teeth. Coffee, tea, cola, and red wine are all well-known chromogenic agents. Tobacco products: The cumulative effect of the use of cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and even smokeless tobacco can cause tooth staining. Medications: The use of some medicines can cause tooth discoloration. As an example, the antibiotic tetracycline (as well as its derivative compounds minocycline and doxycycline) is well documented as producing blue-gray tooth staining if it is ingested during those periods when tooth formation is occurring. It has been documented that the use of minocycline can cause tooth discoloration even in adults. Minocycline is sometimes used to treat facial skin conditions.
