Are you dealing with tetracycline-stained teeth? Tetracycline is an antibiotic that is used in medications to treat bacterial infections. Though antibiotics are effective in treating infections, they have some side effects as well. The side effects can be nausea, diarrhea, bloating, dental issues, etc. Tetracycline is one such antibiotic that has been linked to dental issues like tooth staining. The use of this drug can cause permanent staining on teeth. The stains are so rigid that they are very difficult to remove with the help of teeth whitening treatments. Due to the risk factor, tetracycline is no longer prescribed to certain groups of people.
What is Tetracycline?
Tetracycline is a commonly used antibiotic that has been used for the past few decades to treat bacterial infections, acne, diarrhea, etc. Initially, this drug was prescribed by doctors to everyone, including children of all ages, to treat various infections. However, in the present time, doctors mainly prescribe it to adults and children over the age of 8. The key reason behind limiting tetracycline use is the higher risk of tooth discoloration in young children. As per some studies, it was observed that tetracycline showed tooth discoloration in children exposed to it during pregnancy or while nursing and during the initial years of tooth development.
Discoloration due to tetracycline is usually seen in children exposed to this drug during pregnancy or at the nursing time, also during the early stage of their tooth development process. It caused permanent stains on their teeth below the gum line. This discoloration was seen embedded into the tooth enamel in various colors like gray, brown, and fluorescent yellow. Due to the risk of children having stained teeth during pregnancy or while nursing, the antibiotic is no longer prescribed during pregnancy, mainly during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy or nursing.
How tetracycline affects the teeth?
When tetracycline binds with the calcium required for tooth development, it causes tooth discoloration. This usually takes place during the mineralizing and calcifying process. It results in permanent tooth stains. Unlike tooth stains that occur due to certain food or drinks on the tooth surface, stains caused due to tetracycline occur below the tooth’s surface. One of the commonly asked questions related to teeth discoloration is whether every child has the same degree of tooth discoloration due to tetracycline exposure of tetracycline? The answer is No. Not every child faces the same amount of tooth discoloration. The amount of staining depends on various factors such as the duration of treatment, amount of dosage, tooth development stage at the time of tetracycline exposure. Based on these factors, a child can have mild (light yellow or light gray) to severe (dark blue or dark gray) tooth discoloration.
The worrisome thing about tetracycline exposure is that it affects the color of teeth and can also weaken the tooth enamel. Weakened tooth enamel can increase the chances of tooth decay and even the cavity. If it results in the occurrence of the cavity, it will cause permanent tooth damage and will require dental filling to repair the teeth.
How to re-whiten discolored teeth due to tetracycline exposure?
Now, as we know that exposure to tetracycline can lead to severe tooth staining, it is important to find ways to control the discoloration. In the case of tetracycline, the stains occur as a part of the tooth enamel. It is quite difficult to remove this type of discoloration with dental whitening methods. Although various teeth whitening treatments are available in the market, they are not always effective, especially in the case of tetracycline-stained teeth. For normal discolorations, using overnight bleaching treatment can provide desired results within six weeks. However, for tetracycline-stained teeth, it might take more than 12 months for teeth to become lighter.
So what’s the best way to lighten tetracycline-stained teeth? If dental bleaching treatments fail to provide the expected results, it is advisable to consult a professional dentist. Many dentists in such cases advise using dental veneers. If you are wondering what dental veneers are, then for your information, dental veneers are thin tooth-colored shells placed over the teeth’ front surface. The best thing about veneers is that they appear like natural teeth. Getting veneers done can help people to cover all tooth discolorations and any tooth imperfections easily and effectively.
One more important thing to note here is that if an adult patient is prescribed to take oral tetracycline to treat an infection, he/she must take all the necessary oral hygiene measures to avoid stubborn stains over the teeth. One must also avoid sunlight to minimize the staining effect on teeth.
On the whole,
No doubt, antibiotics are necessary to fight against various infections in the body. It is also true that some antibiotics have side effects as well including dental issues. Presently, the usage of tetracycline has been restricted during pregnancy or nursing period, and also for children under a certain age group. However, if you are facing tooth discoloration from past exposure, it is advisable to ask your dentist about the best teeth whitening treatment for your condition. Depending on the degree of discoloration, the dentist will prescribe the best possible treatment.
No doubt, antibiotics are necessary to fight against various infections in the body. It is also true that some antibiotics have side effects as well including dental issues. Presently, the usage of tetracycline has been restricted during pregnancy or nursing period, and also for children under a certain age group. However, if you are facing tooth discoloration from past exposure, it is advisable to ask your dentist about the best teeth whitening treatment for your condition. Depending on the degree of discoloration, the dentist will prescribe the best possible treatment.
If you are looking for dental veneers or other possible treatment options for your stained teeth, you can connect with TruCare Dentistry in Roswell, GA.
At TruCare Dentistry, you will find professional dentists and staff that understand their patients’ key needs and requirements based on their underlying dental condition. By analyzing the key reason behind the dental issue, they can suggest the best treatment option to help you achieve a healthy and beautiful smile.