Chances are you were treated with tetracycline as a child, but what you and your parents probably didn’t know is that antibiotic use can cause very visible stains on teeth. At the time, it was used to treat a wide variety of infections.
If you notice gray, yellow, or brown stains on your tooth enamel, it can be difficult to smile in front of those around you. According to a dentist, there are many reasons for stained teeth, but tetracycline is often overlooked. Here’s what you need to know about bonding to stained teeth and what you can do to fix your stains.
Tetracycline is an antibiotic used in medicine to treat bacterial infections. Although antibiotics are effective in treating infections, they also have some side effects. Its side effects can be nausea, diarrhea, bloating, dental problems, etc. Tetracycline is one such antibiotic that has been linked to dental problems such as tooth staining. Using this medicine can cause permanent stains on the teeth. Stains are so stubborn that they are very difficult to remove with the help of teeth whitening treatments.
Tetracycline is a widely used antibiotic that has been used in the past few decades to treat bacterial infections, acne, diarrhea, etc., and at first, this drug was prescribed by doctors to treat all kinds of infections, including children of all ages. However, currently, doctors mainly prescribe it for adults and children over 8 years old. The main reason to limit the use of tetracycline is the higher risk of tooth discoloration in young children. According to some studies, it was observed that tetracycline showed tooth discoloration in children who were exposed to it during pregnancy or breastfeeding and in the early years of tooth development.
Discoloration caused by tetracycline is usually seen in children who are exposed to the drug during pregnancy or breastfeeding, as well as in the early stages of their teeth development. It caused permanent stains on their teeth below the gum line. This color change was embedded in tooth enamel in different colors such as gray, brown, and fluorescent yellow. Because of the risk of staining children’s teeth during pregnancy or breastfeeding, antibiotics are no longer prescribed during pregnancy, mainly in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy or breastfeeding.
When tetracycline binds with calcium needed for tooth growth, it causes tooth discoloration. This usually occurs during the process of mineralization and calcification. It leads to permanent tooth stains. Unlike tooth stains that are caused by certain foods or drinks on the surface of the teeth, tetracycline stains occur below the surface of the teeth.
One of the frequently asked questions regarding tooth discoloration is whether every child has the same degree of tooth discoloration due to tetracycline exposure. The answer is negative. Not all children experience tooth discoloration in the same way. The amount of staining depends on various factors, such as the duration of treatment, the amount of the dose, and the stage of tooth development at the time of exposure to tetracycline. Based on these factors, the child may have mild (light yellow or light gray) to severe (dark blue or dark gray) tooth discoloration.
The concern about exposure to tetracycline is that it affects the color of teeth and can also weaken tooth enamel. Weakening of tooth enamel can increase the possibility of tooth decay and even cavities. If it leads to a cavity, it will cause permanent damage to the tooth and will require a filling to restore the tooth.
Now, as we know that tetracycline exposure can lead to severe tooth staining, it is important to find ways to control discoloration. In the case of tetracycline, stains develop as part of the enamel. It is very difficult to remove this type of discoloration with teeth whitening methods.
Although various teeth whitening methods are available in the market, they are not always effective, especially in the case of teeth stained with tetracycline. For regular color changes, overnight bleaching can provide the desired results in as little as six weeks. However, for teeth stained with tetracycline, it may take more than 12 months for the teeth to lighten.
So what is the best way to lighten teeth stained with tetracycline? If teeth bleaching treatments fail to provide the expected results, it is recommended to consult a professional dentist. Many dentists recommend the use of dental veneers in such cases. If you are wondering what are dental crowns, for your information, dental crowns are tooth-colored thin shells that are placed on the front surface of the tooth. The best thing about veneers is that they look like natural teeth. Veneers can help people easily and effectively cover all tooth discolorations and any tooth defects.
Another important thing to note here is that if an adult patient is prescribed oral tetracycline for the treatment of an infection, he should take all of these drugs. Unfortunately, tetracycline is no longer prescribed for a specific group of people.
Oral hygiene measures are essential to prevent the formation of stubborn stains on the teeth. Also, to minimize the effect of stains on the teeth, you should avoid sunlight.
Undoubtedly, antibiotics are necessary to fight various infections in the body. It is also true that some antibiotics have side effects, including dental problems. Currently, the use of tetracycline is restricted during pregnancy or breastfeeding, as well as for children under a certain age group. However, if you are experiencing tooth discoloration from previous exposure, it is recommended that you ask your dentist in Ottawa about the best teeth whitening treatment for your condition. Depending on the degree of discoloration, the dentist will prescribe the best possible treatment.
The severity of the stains on the teeth depends on how much of the antibiotic you have taken and how long you have used it. It is also influenced by the amount of consumption in a certain period. If your treatment was too long, it could dramatically affect the level of staining.
Another factor is the amount of calcification (or the buildup of calcium salts in the tooth) that has already occurred, which is why tetracycline stains affect people more depending on age. For the stains to appear, the tetracycline has to stick to the enamel because it is still growing.
Today, it is important to know how much antibiotic a growing child is taking to prevent spotting. Additionally, if you are pregnant, taking antibiotics can affect your baby’s teeth while in the womb. Tetracycline stains teeth because it can bond with calcium ions as teeth grow. As calcium ions are acquired during this growth, the stain becomes an intrinsic part of the tooth structure.
Tetracycline can cause tooth stains, but that’s hardly the only way it can appear. For example, if you happen to eat or drink pigment-rich foods and drinks and don’t brush your teeth immediately afterward, this gives the food a chance to settle and stain the deeper layers of tooth enamel. This includes foods and drinks such as:
The list is long, but that doesn’t mean you can’t avoid stains entirely.
When it comes to preventing stains, the best thing you can do is follow a strict oral care regimen and drink water throughout the day. For example, if you drink water after drinking coffee, you can reduce the risk of stains sticking to your teeth and causing them to turn yellow.
However, if you already have stains that won’t go away with brushing (as is especially the case with tetracycline stains), there are always cosmetic dental treatments to consider! This includes: