Tetracycline Stains 101: All You Need To Know

Tetracycline is an antibiotic that, as a side effect, can cause teeth discoloration ranging from a bright yellow shade to dark brown.

How do you cure tetracycline stains?

This drug is commonly used to treat several various bacterial infections such as pneumonia, urinary tract infections, acne, and genital infections.

Unwanted Dental Side Effect

Although effective in curing bacterial infections, tetracycline is not without side effects. One such side effect is unwanted stains on the teeth. Tetracycline is currently known to cause tooth discoloration among young children.

Tetracycline cause stains by penetrating deep into the tooth enamel and into the dentine below the enamel. The stain can either be yellow, gray, or brown and can either completely or partially cover the entire tooth.

The stains form during the development of the tooth and are embedded in the inner layers of the enamel. This usually happens to children while their permanent teeth are still forming. Children are vulnerable to these stains from the time they are still in the womb until about the age of 8. Because of this, pregnant women should inquire with their doctors on possible alternatives to tetracycline.

Other Antibiotics that Can Cause Staining

Antibiotics similar to tetracycline also cause tooth discoloration. Chlortetracycline, demethylchlortetracycline and oxytetracycline can all cause brown/gray/yellow staining of the teeth. Ciprofloxacin stain with a green color. Minocycline hydrochloride is another antibiotic that can cause staining, but unlike tetracycline, the discoloration happen even after the full development of the teeth.

Removing the Stains

Because tetracycline cause stains inside the tooth’s enamel, removal can be difficult. Traditional dental cleaning procedures and teeth whitening products are insufficient to erase the stains.

The best option is to use veneers to permanently cover the stains. Veneers are thin ceramic shells that are bond to the surface of the teeth. If a back tooth is dark in color, a dental crown can be used to cover the entire tooth.

Consultation and Prevention

In your next regular dentist visit, make sure to tell your dentist about the medications you’re taking in order to avoid any dental side effects. Consult your dentist for any possible signs of tetracycline staining in order to prevent or quickly treat the discoloration.