Different Types of Stains on Teeth and How to Remove Them

What is Tooth Discolouration

Tooth discolouration simply refers to a change in the colour of a tooth, or teeth, within your mouth. A colour change can reflect stained teeth surfaces that can come from factors including diet and smoking or a change in the mineral content of the tooth itself. 

While some factors that cause stained teeth, including dietary reasons and lifestyle choices, are avoidable, others, including age and disease, are not. Most people will experience stained teeth at some point in their lives, but thankfully, many effective treatment and prevention methods exist. 

Types of Tooth Discolouration 

Stained teeth are generally categorised in one of three ways by medical professionals, these are: 

• Extrinsic discolouration: This refers to discolouration or stains on tooth enamel (the outer surface of the tooth). Enamel comes into contact with anything put into the mouth and, over time, can absorb colour from stain-causing food and drinks or smoking. As these stains are not part of the inner tooth material, they are the easiest to remove.  

• Intrinsic Discolouration: This refers to a type of discolouration that begins within the tooth, in a layer called the dentin. If particles make their way past the enamel on a tooth, they can stain the inside of it, creating intrinsic discolouration. It can be caused by oral trauma as well as disease and potentially excessive ingestion of fluoride. These stained teeth will be harder to recolour.  

• Age-Based Discolouration: Long-term effects of food and the natural discolouration of dentin as you age means that age-based stained teeth are very common. Despite how well you may have taken care of your teeth, yellow teeth can happen with age.  

Causes of Tooth Stains 

The question ‘what causes yellow teeth’ has a near countless number of answers. Our mouths come into contact with so much as we go through our lives, and many of our favourite foods and drinks are capable of causing stained teeth. The following factors are some of the most common causes of stained teeth: 

• Smoking: Certain chemicals found in cigarettes and other tobacco-based products are capable of causing nicotine stains on teeth when used over time. If you are wondering ‘does vaping stain teeth’ the research is mixed; some studies have shown it can do so, but results are inconclusive. 

• Neglecting Oral Care: Failing to take care of your teeth through proper brushing and periodic dental visits can lead to the buildup of bacteria, which discolour teeth. 

• Age: Dentin in your teeth discolours naturally as you age, meaning yellow teeth are common in elderly people, even with adequate care.  

• Genetics: Your natural tooth colour is unique, and some people may find they have naturally duller teeth than others. 

• Food and Drink: Darker foods and drinks can discolour teeth. Coffee, red wine, soy sauce, and tea can all be what causes teeth to yellow. 

• Excess of Fluoride: Though fluoride is a useful way to protect teeth from cavities, excessive use can contribute to a condition called fluorosis, which causes white spots on teeth.  

• Oral Treatments: Some dental treatments, including fillings and root canals, can cause teeth to discolour slightly. 

• Medication: Drugs for high blood pressure and antihistamines can cause teeth to turn yellow. 

• Cancer Treatment: Chemotherapy and radiotherapy can both stain teeth if a person undergoes them for a significant period. 

• Oral Trauma: Injuries from falls, surgeries, or any type of accident that affects the mouth can affect the colour of your teeth. 

What Colours of Teeth Stains Mean 

If you notice that you have some stained teeth, then the colour of the stains may help you determine the cause. Though not always accurate, the following guide may help you determine the cause of your stained teeth: 

• Yellow Teeth: Typically, yellow teeth come from the consumption of dark-coloured food and drinks, smoking, and neglecting oral care. 

• Brown Teeth: Brown and darker yellow teeth are usually attributable to smoking or other nicotine products and tooth decay. 

• Purple Teeth: In rare cases, excessive consumption of red wine can lead to purple teeth. 

• Gray Teeth: If the nerve within your tooth dies, it may cause the tooth to appear greyish and faded. 

• White Spotted Teeth: Fluorosis (the excessive use of fluoride) can cause teeth to appear with bright white spots or flecks. 

Treating Tooth Stains 

If your teeth are yellowing or discoloured, it is perfectly natural to wonder how to remove stains from teeth. To remove teeth stains, you can visit a dentist, dental hygienist or try various at-home treatment methods. The following methods are some of the most common ways in which people remove teeth stains: 

Dental Care 

Your dentist or dental hygienist can help remove teeth stains in several ways, these include: 

• Specialised Teeth Whitening Procedures: 

For extrinsic stains, your dentist may offer you a professional whitening procedure. In-office teeth whitening uses chemicals such as hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide to remove stains on your teeth and can even remove intrinsic stains if stronger products are used. This procedure can be completed in just an hour. 

Dentists also offer at-home teeth whitening treatment. This version of teeth whitening usually involves using a whitening gel on your teeth for around an hour per day for 6 weeks or more.  

• Veneers: 

In cases where teeth whitening is not sufficient or not yielding the desired results, veneers offer a permanent way to hide teeth stains. 

Veneers are tooth coloured ceramic shells that are glued to the front of your teeth to improve their appearance and hide the discolouration. Veneers will need replacing every 5-15 years. 

• Dental Crowns: 

In cases where yellow teeth are caused by cavities or faulty fillings, your dentist may recommend a dental crown. Though dental crowns were not designed specifically as a solution for how to whiten teeth, they do improve cosmetic appearance. 

A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap that is fitted over a tooth to protect it from oral trauma, restore function and, in this instance, improve its appearance. 

• Dental Bonding: 

Dental bonding uses tooth-coloured resin to cover discoloured teeth. It is an effective method of having whiter teeth but is most useful for a single tooth or, at the most, a few yellow teeth. Dental bonding requires a touch-up every 5-7 years.

How to Whiten Teeth at Home 

There is no best way to whiten teeth, with each method having its unique pros and cons. If you decide that professional teeth whitening is not the route for you, there are several effective at-home methods you can use to help remove teeth stains. these include: 

• Teeth Whitening Strips: 

Teeth whitening strips are an easy-to-use teeth whitening method. Small adhesive strips containing whitening gel are placed over the discoloured teeth and left in the mouth for as long as their individual instructions dictate. 

Continued use of teeth whitening strips can yield effective long-term results and help recolour stained or yellow teeth. 

• Teeth Whitening Toothpaste: 

Certain toothpastes are specially formulated to break down stains on teeth and help whiten them. Replacing your current toothpaste with one of these specialised gels can help whiten teeth in the long term and does not require any additional steps in your oral care routine. 

• Teeth Whitening Pens: 

Whitening pens are filled with teeth whitening gel that can be applied directly to areas of discolouration on your teeth. This gel is then brushed on and helps recolour darkened or yellow teeth.

Differences Between Teeth Whitening and Stain Removal 

Though they may sound similar, the procedures for teeth whitening and teeth stain removal are different and yield different results: 

• Teeth Stain Removal: This is a simple procedure that helps remove extrinsic stains. It is often part of a dental hygiene appointment and completed by using airflow or polish to remove surface stains and leave teeth brighter and cleaner in the short term. 

• Teeth Whitening: Teeth whitening changes the colour of the teeth in the long term. It can remove extrinsic and, in some cases, intrinsic stains. It requires a special appointment or consistent at-home treatment. 

Preventing Tooth Stains

Reducing your risk of tooth stains to zero is sadly impossible, but some lifestyle changes can reduce your chances of discoloured and yellow teeth significantly. Positive changes to implement include: 

• Keeping on top of oral care and brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing 

• Limit your consumption of darker foods more likely to stain teeth (coffee, red wine, soy sauce, etc.) 

• Limit your intake of smoke or stop smoking completely 

• Regularly visit your dentist or dental hygienist 

• Stay hydrated and rinse your mouth after consuming any potentially teeth-staining foods 

Protect Your Smile with Oral-B 

When it comes to preventing and removing stains on teeth, consistent and effective oral care is key. Brushing, flossing, and using mouthwash every day contribute to a cleaner, healthier mouth, improving both its feel and appearance. 

Oral-B is here to support your teeth whitening journey, with solutions that fit seamlessly into your daily routine. The Oral-B iO Series is equipped to help you achieve a deeper clean while gently removing surface stains. With their personalised brushing modes, the iO Series ensures your teeth not only look brighter but stay healthier in the long term. 

While whitening treatments at home are helpful, regular dental check-ups remain essential for optimal oral health. Using the right tools daily, like the iO Series, alongside professional care, helps you maintain the brightest smile with confidence.