Tooth staining

Tooth staining, also referred to as dental discoloration, is a clinical condition where the color, hue, or translucency of a tooth is altered (StatPearls, 2023). It is categorized into extrinsic stains, which accumulate on the tooth surface from environmental sources like tobacco or dietary tannins, and intrinsic stains, which are incorporated into the dental tissues during or after development (PubMed, PMC4273336). Although not a traditional molecular target like a protein or enzyme, tooth staining is the focal point for cosmetic dental pharmacology and a notable adverse effect of various systemic drugs. For instance, tetracycline antibiotics are known to chelate calcium ions and become permanently incorporated into the hydroxyapatite crystal structure of developing teeth, leading to significant discoloration (NIH, 2022). Therapeutic approaches to manage staining involve whitening agents, primarily hydrogen peroxide, which release oxygen radicals to oxidize and break down organic chromogens within the enamel and dentin (NCBI, 2019).

Other names

Tooth discolorationDental stainingExtrinsic stainingIntrinsic stainingDental chromogenesis

Oxidation of organic chromogens by bleaching agents; chelation with calcium hydroxyapatite in dental enamel and dentin by tetracyclines; and precipitation of dietary tannins or protein denaturation by chlorhexidine.