How to protect teeth from stains?

Protecting teeth from staining involves a combination of prevention and proper cleaning. So, focus on good oral hygiene with regular brushing and flossing. Limit consumption of staining substances, such as coffee, tea, red wine, and other staining foods and beverages, along with rinsing or drinking water after consuming staining foods and drinks. Using a straw when consuming them can also be beneficial.

How to remove teeth stains at home?

At-home stain removal has come a long way in the last few years. The safest and most effective way to remove stains at home is by using products designed and tested for this purpose. Start with a consistent routine of brushing twice a day with a whitening toothpaste like Oral-B 3D White and using an electric toothbrush with a whitening mode, like the Oral-B iO. While some people ask about DIY methods like baking soda or charcoal, these can be overly abrasive and damage your enamel. If stubborn stains remain, it’s time to consult with a dentist or dental hygienist for professional whitening options.

How to remove brown stains from teeth naturally?

For removing brown stains, the best first step is a professional cleaning from your dental team to remove any tartar buildup. To manage and prevent stains at home, focus on a great oral hygiene routine. Using a whitening system that includes a powerful electric toothbrush and whitening toothpaste is an effective approach. While many "natural" remedies like oil pulling or baking soda pastes are mentioned online, there is little scientific evidence to prove their effectiveness for whitening, and some can be abrasive. If these natural remedies don’t do the job, professional cleaning and/or whitening might be in order.

Teeth Stains: Causes, Treatments, And Prevention

Teeth Stains: Causes, Treatments, And Prevention

Last updated 10/26

This blog has been reviewed and approved by Dr Robert Lee, a dental professional of 35 years

Table Of Contents

Key Takeaways

Teeth stains can be caused by food, drinks, smoking, certain medications, or ageing. 
There are two main types: extrinsic (on the surface) and intrinsic (inside the tooth). 
Treatment options include professional cleanings, whitening products, and in-office procedures. 
Daily habits like brushing twice a day, drinking water after meals, and avoiding tobacco help prevent stains. 
Regular dental checkups are key to maintaining a white, healthy smile.

Types of Teeth Stains 

Tooth stains are common, but not all tooth stains are the same. Before diving into causes and treatments, it helps to understand the two main types of teeth stains.  

Extrinsic Stains 

These are surface stains that affect the enamel, the outer layer of your teeth. They're often caused by external factors like food, drinks, or smoking. Since they stay on the surface, they’re usually easier to remove with whitening toothpaste or dental cleanings. 

Intrinsic Stains 

These stains lie beneath the enamel, in the inner part of the tooth known as dentin. They’re usually harder to remove and may be the result of certain medications, trauma, or excessive fluoride during childhood. Professional treatments are often needed for these. 

Common Causes 

While teeth stains might all appear somewhat similar, their causes can vary widely. Here are the main types of causes of stains and discolouration.    

Food and Drinks

Sadly, some of your favourite treats may be the biggest culprits. Coffee, tea, red wine, fizzy drinks, and berries all contain strong pigments that cling to enamel. Acidic foods and drinks can also wear down enamel, making it easier for stains to set in.   

Poor Oral Hygiene

Skipping brushing or flossing lets plaque and tartar build up. This not only dulls your smile but also creates a rough surface that attracts more staining agents.   

Tobacco Use

Whether it's from smoking or chewing tobacco, nicotine and tar can cause yellow or brown stains that are especially tough to get rid of. Without intervention, these deep-set stains can become very difficult to remove with at-home care alone.   

Medications

Certain drugs like the antibiotic tetracycline can cause intrinsic stains, especially if taken while teeth are developing. Some antihistamines and blood pressure medications have also been linked to tooth discolouration.   

Ageing

Ageing isn’t just rough on our knees; it can also be rough on our teeth. As we get older, our enamel naturally wears down, exposing the yellower dentin underneath. Even if you take great care of your teeth, age-related discolouration is almost unavoidable.   

Trauma or Dental Injury

If a tooth is injured, the nerve may die and the breakdown of blood inside the tooth can lead to a darker appearance.   This type of discolouration usually needs professional treatment.   

Excess Fluoride

It might surprise you, but too much fluoride during childhood can cause white spots or streaks on teeth, known as dental fluorosis. This can happen if you get too much fluoride from water, toothpaste, or supplements. 

Patient undergoing a professional whitening dental treatment

Treatment Options 

The right treatment depends on the type and severity of the stain. Here are the most common options: 

1. Professional Dental Cleaning 

If your stains are caused by plaque or tartar, a routine cleaning from your dentist or dental hygienist can work wonders. This is especially effective for extrinsic surface stains. 

2. Whitening Toothpaste 

These products contain special abrasives, such as hydrated silica, that help polish away and remove surface stains. 

While they can’t change the natural colour of your teeth, they can make your smile appear as bright as it can over time. 

3. At-Home Whitening Kits 

Over-the-counter kits usually contain hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide to lighten extrinsic stains. These come in the form of strips, trays, or gels. Always follow the instructions to avoid overuse, which can cause sensitivity. 

4. In-Office Whitening 

If you’re looking for fast, dramatic results, in-office whitening treatments are probably your best bet. Dentists and dental hygienists use stronger bleaching agents combined with heat or light to break up stains deep inside the tooth. 

5. Bonding or Veneers 

Some stubborn intrinsic stains don’t respond to whitening. For those, cosmetic procedures like dental bonding or veneers may be the best solution. These cover the tooth’s surface with a custom material that matches your natural tooth colour. 

Close-up of a white smile surrounded by dental tools

How to Prevent Teeth Stains

Prevention ultimately comes down to your daily habits. Here’s what you can do to keep your teeth looking their best: 

✔ Brush and Floss Regularly 

Brushing at least twice a day and flossing once a day helps remove food particles and plaque that can lead to staining. Use a soft-bristled brush and fluoride toothpaste for the best results. 

✔ Regular Dental Checkups 

Visiting your dentist twice a year keeps your teeth at their best. Your dentist or dental hygienist can remove buildup, spot early signs of discolouration, and recommend whitening treatments if needed. 

✔ Rinse or Drink Water After Eating 

If you drink coffee or eat something colourful like curry or blueberries, rinse your mouth with water afterward. This helps wash away pigments before they settle into your enamel. 

✔ Use a Straw 

When drinking beverages that can stain, like iced coffee or fizzy drinks, using a straw helps minimise contact with your front teeth. 

✔ Quit Smoking 

Not only will your lungs thank you, but so will your smile. Quitting tobacco can prevent new stains and improve your oral and overall health. It’s a true win/win. 

Close-up of patient receiving dental treatment

When to See a Dentist

Sometimes stains are more than just a stain and can indicate a bigger problem. So, if you’re brushing and flossing regularly but your teeth still look stained, or if you notice sudden discolouration, it’s time to see your dentist or dental hygienist. Stains that appear quickly, affect only one tooth, or are accompanied by pain might be signs of deeper issues like decay or injury. 

Whiter & Healthier Teeth Starts with Oral-B 

Most people wish their smiles were brighter. In fact, over 50% of dental patients want whiter teeth. The same treatments that help whiten your smile also provide additional benefits to help improve your oral health. Many effective at-home options provide teeth whitening, stain removal, along with maintenance of whitened teeth when paired with a thorough toothbrushing routine.

Oral-B iO Electric Toothbrushes come equipped with a whitening mode that delivers micro-vibrations to the tip of each bristle to loosen and remove surface stains and plaque and reveal a brighter smile. 
Oral-B iO Radiant White replacement brush heads offer advanced cleaning and whitening (by removing surface stains) starting day 1. You can also look for Oral-B iO Radiant White brush heads where you normally shop for your Oral Care products. They are designed with five circular arranged polishing petals for advanced plaque and surface stain removal.

Summary

Teeth stains are very common. Many come from everyday habits like drinking coffee, eating dark berries, or smoking. There are two types, extrinsic (surface stains) and intrinsic (deep stains), and each responds differently to treatment.  

While over-the-counter whitening products can help with mild stains, more stubborn discolouration may require professional help. Sometimes stains can indicate a bigger problem, such as decay or injury, so make sure you’re keeping up with regular dental appointments. Or make an appointment if something seems more sudden or urgent. 

The best way to keep your smile bright and white is through consistent oral hygiene, thoughtful eating and drinking, and regular dental visits. With just a little effort and awareness, you can keep stains at bay and enjoy a healthy, shiny smile for life. 

Shop this article

FAQs

Protecting teeth from staining involves a combination of prevention and proper cleaning. So, focus on good oral hygiene with regular brushing and flossing. Limit consumption of staining substances, such as coffee, tea, red wine, and other staining foods and beverages, along with rinsing or drinking water after consuming staining foods and drinks. Using a straw when consuming them can also be beneficial.
At-home stain removal has come a long way in the last few years. The safest and most effective way to remove stains at home is by using products designed and tested for this purpose. Start with a consistent routine of brushing twice a day with a whitening toothpaste like Oral-B 3D White and using an electric toothbrush with a whitening mode, like the Oral-B iO. While some people ask about DIY methods like baking soda or charcoal, these can be overly abrasive and damage your enamel. If stubborn stains remain, it’s time to consult with a dentist or dental hygienist for professional whitening options.
For removing brown stains, the best first step is a professional cleaning from your dental team to remove any tartar buildup. To manage and prevent stains at home, focus on a great oral hygiene routine. Using a whitening system that includes a powerful electric toothbrush and whitening toothpaste is an effective approach. While many "natural" remedies like oil pulling or baking soda pastes are mentioned online, there is little scientific evidence to prove their effectiveness for whitening, and some can be abrasive. If these natural remedies don’t do the job, professional cleaning and/or whitening might be in order.

Sources

https://www.mouthhealthy.org/all-topics-a-z/teeth-whitening 
https://jada.ada.org/article/S0002-8177(20)30534-1/fulltext 
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/10958-tooth-discoloration 
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9790475/ 
https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-q-and-a-many-safe-choices-available-to-help-whiten-teeth/#:~:text=One%20of%20the%20simplest%20options,makes%20them%20appear%20less%20yellow.  
Al-Zarea, B. K. (2013). Satisfaction with appearance and the desired treatment to improve aesthetics. International Journal of Dentistry, 2013, 912368. https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/912368  
Alkhatib, M. N., et al. (2004). Prevalence of self-assessed tooth discolouration in the United Kingdom. Journal of Dentistry, 32, 561-566.    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdent.2004.06.002 
Grender, J., et al. (2022). Gingival health effects with an oscillating-rotating electric toothbrush with micro-vibrations and a novel brush head designed for stain control: Results from a 12-week randomized controlled trial. American Journal of Dentistry, 35(5), 219–226.Link to: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36261400/ 
Terézhalmy, G., et al. (2016). A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial to Evaluate Extrinsic Stain Removal of a Whitening Dentifrice. The Journal of Clinical Dentistry, 27(4), 114–117.Link to: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28391665/ 
Timm, H., et al. (2023). Superior stain prevention efficacy of an electric toothbrush whitening brush head. Journal of Dental Research, 102, 0934. Link to: https://iadr.abstractarchives.com/abstract/52am-3820555/superior-stain-prevention-efficacy-of-an-electric-toothbrushwhitening-brush-head   
Tin-Oo, M. M., et al. (2011). Factors influencing patient satisfaction with dental appearance and treatments they desire to improve aesthetics. BMC Oral Health, 11, 6. https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6831-11-6

About Oral-B

About the shop