For most people teeth that end up looking a bit yellow or otherwise discolored isn't really that big of a deal. They can simply go down to the local drug store or to their dentist and pay for teeth whitening sessions that will give them back their nice white smile. However, there are some who can't get their teeth looking whiter with the use of these teeth whitening systems. Their teeth are the color they are permanently. You can learn about some of the conditions that can cause naturally discolored or yellow teeth by reading this article.

Your teeth just don't have enough enamel on them

The enamel is what makes up the outer layer of a person's teeth. The more enamel you have on your teeth, the whiter they will be. Less enamel will allow the inner natural coloring to show through the enamel that you do have. Since whitening treatments work on removing discoloration and stains from the surfaces of the teeth, they can't help with this situation.

You've had too much fluoride exposure, which can discolor teeth

If you were exposed to too much fluoride as a small child, then your adult teeth can come in permanently discolored. You can get too much fluoride by drinking a lot of fluoridated water, from fluoridated tooth care products, from taking fluoride supplements and more.

You were exposed to tetracycline antibiotics as a fetus and/or small child

If your mother was prescribed tetracycline antibiotics while she was in her second half of her pregnancy, then you can develop discolored teeth. Also, if you took tetracycline antibiotics when you were young, then it can cause issues with the color of your teeth as an adult.

You were born with a genetic dental condition that affects your teeth

There are also genetic conditions that can cause teeth to be naturally darker. One such condition is called enamel hypoplasia. This condition can cause pits, uneven enamel, and soft spots in a person's teeth that can also cause a lot of discoloration. This condition can affect people differently and comes in different degrees with regards to how bad it is. In some cases this condition can be treated as a medical one, which means some people may be able to have their health insurance coverage pay for their dental treatment. Always ask the dentist if it's possible to have your medical insurance cover the costs of treatment.

For more information, contact local professionals like Davis R Troup DDS PA.