Dr. Hall,
I’ve been on tetracycline for about 2 years. The dermotologist gave me this for acne. I went to my dentist for a clean recently and they say I have stains on the back sides of my front teeth. They are brown lines. Its from the medicine right? How can I get rid of this problem before it get worse?
– Mindy in Pennsylvania
Dear Mindy,
It’s possible that the staining you’re getting on the backs of your front teeth is from the tetracycline you’re taking, but I doubt it.
Tetracycline stains your teeth by getting absorbed into the enamel and dentin while your teeth are forming, so you need to be under the age of 13 for it really to have an effect. Though there is one study that showed that minocycline, a particular variety of tetracycline, can cause stains in teeth after they’re already formed.
If it’s true tetracycline stain, it’s absorbed into your teeth and needs to be bleached out or covered over with dental bonding or porcelain veneers.
The best at-home stain prevention you can do is to use Supersmile toothpaste. I’d try that and see if it helps keep the stain off.
– Dr. Hall
Related information:
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About David A. Hall
Dr. David A. Hall was one of the first 40 accredited cosmetic dentists in the world. He practiced cosmetic dentistry in Iowa, and in 1990 earned his accreditation with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. He is now president of Infinity Dental Web, a company in Mesa, Arizona that does advanced internet marketing for dentists.
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