Several diseases that affect enamel (the hard surface of the teeth) and dentin (the underlying material under enamel) can lead to tooth discolorationTooth discoloration is abnormal tooth color, hue or translucency. External discoloration is accumulation of stains on the tooth surface. Internal discoloration is due to absorption of pigment particles into tooth structure. Sometimes there are several different co-existent factors responsible for discoloration.https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Tooth_discoloration
Chemotherapy and radiation therapy may cause changes in the lining of the mouth and the salivary glands, which make saliva. This can upset the healthy balance of bacteria. These changes may lead to mouth sores, infections, and tooth decay.
Your issue with yellow teeth from Chemotherapy can easily be treated with many methods of tooth whitening. The sensitivity issue should and can be managed prior to the whitening with strong desensitizing toothpastes and Fluoride Gel tray treatments.
Poor oral hygiene – poor oral hygiene practices cause yellowing of your teeth; however, discoloration or yellowing may occur despite regular teeth cleaning. Smoking – this is one of the leading causes of the yellowing of teeth.
Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to treat cancer. These drugs kill cancer cells, but they may also harm normal cells, including cells in the mouth. Side effects include problems with your teeth and gums; the soft, moist lining of your mouth; and the glands that make saliva (spit).
Prevention of dental disease is always important, but particularly when your body is most vulnerable. The best way to keep your teeth and gums healthy is to remove plaque and bacteria regularly. So, during cancer treatment, be sure to attend six-month dental cleanings and checkups.
What Can Be Done to Whiten Yellow Teeth? If you're looking for a radical change in the coloring of your teeth, you need professional-grade whitening to get the job done. Your cosmetic dentist can provide treatment that penetrates deep into the enamel and removes years of stains with a powerful bleaching agent.
Most of the extrinsic discoloration is reversible especially by reversing the cause of yellowing. It also depends upon the duration of discolorations. Some of the discolorations are too old and stubborn and need special teeth whitening techniques to cure.
Additionally, plaque buildup on your teeth can cause them to look yellow ( 2 , 3). This type of discoloration can usually be treated with regular cleaning and whitening remedies. However, sometimes teeth look yellow because the hard enamel has eroded, revealing the dentin underneath.
Use a fluoride toothpaste or baking soda with fluoride.
It generally takes about 48 to 72 hours for your body to break down and/or get rid of most chemo drugs. But it's important to know that each chemo drug is excreted or passed through the body a bit differently.
A sore mouth caused by chemotherapy usually happens about 5 to 10 days after you start treatment. It gradually clears up 2 to 3 weeks after your treatment ends.
Antihistamines (like Benadryl®), antipsychotic drugs and antihypertensive medications also can cause teeth discoloration.
For about two to six weeks, you can use dentist-recommended whitening toothpaste and brush twice a day. You can use a certified whitening mouthwash which usually takes about three months to produce visible results. Whitening strips are the most compelling in-house treatments that last up to six months.
Foods and drinks such as red wine, coffee, tea, and spaghetti sauce can all contribute to tooth staining. Cigarettes, cigars, and chewing tobacco all contain ingredients that will stick to the tiny pores in teeth and create a dark or brownish appearance.
Dentistry for seniors suggests tooth whitening can be done at any age of adulthood. Tooth whitening products remove built-up stains and brighten the enamel. They are affordable and easy-to-use solutions to the problem of aging yellow teeth.
Regularly drinking any type of vinegar and eating acidic foods has been shown to erode tooth enamel ( 14 , 15 ). This means that vinegar gradually destroys your enamel, which is the outer layer of your teeth that protects them from physical and chemical damage.
Try making a mouthwash by dissolving bicarbonate of soda and salt in 1 cup of warm water. While your mouth is very sensitive during treatment, use 1/4 tsp of each ingredient. After treatment is over, you can increase this to 1/2 tsp. Swish it around your mouth, spit it out and then rinse your mouth with plain water.
Take care not to get infections for up to one year or more after your chemotherapy. Practice safe eating and drinking during cancer treatment. Do not eat or drink anything that may be undercooked or spoiled. Make sure your water is safe.
For 48 hours after receiving chemotherapy, patients and caregivers should follow these precautions: Flush toilets twice each time they are used. If possible, patients should use a separate toilet from others in the home. Always wash hands with soap and water after using the toilet.
Weight gain is more common during chemotherapy treatment for certain kinds of cancer, including breast cancer, ovarian cancer and prostate cancer. This may result from the combination of chemotherapy along with hormone therapy and other medications typically used to treat these cancer types.
Chemotherapy can be dehydrating. Drinking plenty of water before and after treatment helps your body process chemotherapy drugs and flush the excess out of your system.