The use of antibiotics has become a common occurrence in order to treat ailments or infections, they are drugs with which we can fight from infections, they can even improve or lengthen our life. But it must be said that unfortunately most medications have side effects and antibiotics are not free from this condition. Although the main objective of an antibiotic is to improve and help restore our health, some can cause adverse reactions or side effects.
One of these drugs is specifically the antibiotic called tetracycline. Its use began around the 50s and lasted until the 80s, especially being used in children, the purpose of the pre-registration of these antibiotics was to eliminate bacterial infections, especially those of a respiratory nature, gastroenteritis and the presence of acne specific. But at this time it was not known that its administration had a great secondary effect that was the discoloration of the teeth, something that was discovered a posteriori.
How and why are stains on teeth caused by tetracyclines?
Enamel stains caused by the use of tetracyclines occur on permanent teeth while they are still in development, are still in a germ state or are about to erupt. And it is that during development this substance is anchored in the tooth, forming stains on the enamel. Infants are susceptible to this type of staining, which can develop even while still in utero up to eight years of age.. The important fact to keep in mind is that the tooth formation process begins before birth, pregnant women should avoid this type of antibiotic in order to prevent it from affecting their future children.
They occur brown to gray in color, these stains are deep, dark and can cover the entire tooth structure or partially with horizontal bands, as the formation of these stains occur at the time of development of the teeth of the fetus, they remain as an inlay on the enamel of the tooth and the structures posterior to the enamel, that is why they are called by doctors as intrinsic stains, stains inside the tooth. Comment that these stains are not harmful to oral health, but they are obvious alterations to the aesthetics of our teeth, causing low self-esteem and even embarrassment.
How to treat these types of stains
How they are formed at the time of dental development, Tetracycline stains are the most difficult to remove Unlike extrinsic stains caused by food, beverages or tobacco, these are easier to remove through dental whitening or hygiene treatments by the professional.
For tetracycline stains, the solution is to treat porcelain dental veneers, they are very thin layers that are cemented in the outer layer of the teeth, which allow solving both shape and color alterations. This type of dental aesthetic treatment provides a permanent solution to the problem of staining, restoring self-esteem to the patient, but above all an ideal, harmonious smile with a homogeneous and bright white color. If you are thinking that you may have this type of staining, contact your dental clinic to assess the severity of these and can propose the best treatment option. And return to your face a white, bright and radiant smile getting to rejuvenate our expression.
