Did you know that one of the most common reasons people feel unhappy with their smile is because of tooth discolouration? And you may be one of those people, too! Stains can make your teeth look dull, yellowish, or patchy. They may even show up even when you brush your teeth regularly. The good news? Your dentist always has a solution for them!
Whether the stains are caused by everyday coffee staining or deeper internal changes, our broad range of cosmetic treatments for teeth stains can help restore your confidence. This guide will help you understand your options for a brighter, better smile.
What are the Types of Teeth Stains?
Not all stains are created equal and understanding what they are can help you and our team know the best way to remove them. Here’s a simple breakdown of the three types of teeth stains and how you can differentiate one from the other:
Extrinsic Teeth Stains
- What they are: Surface-level stains, sits on the outer tooth surface (enamel)
- Common causes: Coffee, tea, red wine, soda, berries, smoking
- Who usually has them: Anyone with daily exposure to dark-coloured foods/drinks or tobacco
- What you should know: Extrinsic tooth staining are the easiest stains to treat because they do not penetrate the tooth. Professional teeth whitening can work extremely well for this type of stain.
Intrinsic Teeth Stains
- What they are: Deep discolouration that form inside the tooth, beneath the enamel
- Common causes: Tooth trauma, certain medications (like tetracycline), excessive fluoride as a child, amalgam tooth restorations
- Who usually has them: Patients with tooth injuries, childhood medication staining, or naturally darker dentin
- What you should know: Teeth whitening alone may not fully remove intrinsic tooth staining. Our dentist may recommend getting veneers or cosmetic bonding for better results.
Age-Related Teeth Stains
- What they are: Natural tooth staining due to thinning enamel, making the darker colour of the tooth dentin more visible
- Common causes: Aging and long-term enamel wear
- Who usually has them: Older adults or anyone experiencing natural enamel thinning
- What you should know: This type of stain is normal and happens as the enamel naturally wears down. Depending on how dark the tooth is, the treatment may either be tooth whitening or veneers.
Causes of Teeth Stains
Teeth can darken or turn yellowish for many reasons and the common ones are:
- Aging – Enamel naturally thins over time, allowing the darker dentin underneath to show through.
- Genetics – Some people inherit a naturally darker tooth due to a thin enamel or dark dentin.
- Food and drinks – Coffee, tea, wine, soda, and other deeply pigmented foods leave stains that build up over time.
- Tobacco use – Smoking or chewing tobacco can cause stubborn yellow or brown stains to cover the enamel.
- Poor dental hygiene – Plaque accumulation on the teeth can make the smile look yellowish with its natural yellow colour.
- Medical conditions – Certain illnesses can affect the enamel colour as it develops and causes internal staining.
- Medications – Antibiotics like tetracycline cause deep intrinsic stains especially when taken during childhood.
- Dental materials – Old metal restorations (amalgam fillings) create dark tints on the tooth surface.
- Bleaching – Over and improper use of at-home whitening products damage the enamel and make your teeth look yellow over time.
- Environment – High fluoride levels in the water supply of certain areas contribute to white or brown patches on the teeth.
- Trauma – Injuries cause the tooth to darken internally as the dentin reacts or the nerve becomes damaged.
Knowing what may be the cause of your teeth discolouration can help our team address the cause and decide the best treatment for long-term results.
How to Remove Teeth Stains?
At Sierra Dental, we have several treatment options to remove teeth stains. Our dentists and dental hygienists will recommend the most suitable solution that fits your stain type, lifestyle, and long-term smile goals.
At-Home Teeth Whitening
- Best for: Mild to moderate extrinsic tooth staining or surface discolourations
- Pros and cons: Affordable and convenient, but results develop slowly and can be unpredictable
- How it is done: For this option, we will provide custom-fitted whitening trays that fit over your teeth and professional-grade bleaching gel. Every day, you are to wear your whitening tray with gel for a recommended time. This is done for up to two weeks or until you achieve the whitening effect you desire.
In-Office Laser Teeth Whitening
- Best for: Patients who want fast, dramatic whitening results and those with moderate surface teeth stains
- Pros and cons: Brightens the smile several shades in just one visit but may cause some tooth sensitivity
- How it is done: Our cosmetic dentistry team at Sierra Dental uses potent whitening gel activated by laser to remove stains and brighten the smile in just one visit. The results can last for several months or even longer with the right care.
Cosmetic Dental Bonding
- Best for: Small dark spots and intrinsic stains
- Pros and cons: Quick, affordable, minimally invasive treatment but will need retouching after a few years
- How it is done: Small areas of discolouration can be fixed by cosmetic bonding. We remove the stain using a dental bur, then tooth-coloured resin is layered over the area to mask the imperfection. Polishing is done to complete the treatment and provide a natural and seamless finish.
Porcelain Veneers
- Best for: Deep intrinsic stains, tetracycline staining, trauma-related discolouration, or complete smile makeovers
- Pros and cons: Long-lasting, stain-resistant, highly aesthetic but will require some tooth shaving
- How it is done: Smile makeovers with porcelain veneers start with a smile design consultation to determine the exact veneer size, shape, and colour. Then, custom-made porcelain shells are made and bonded to the front surface of your tooth. This will create a bright, spotless, and beautiful smile.
No matter which option you are considering, the best way to get the results you will love is to talk to your dentist. Here at Sierra Dental, we always keep your smile goals in mind when creating your treatment plan. From there, we will explain your options clearly and help choose the treatment for you.
How to Prevent Teeth Stains?
No more stains? Let’s keep it that way. Once your smile is brighter with our whitening treatments, there are many ways to maintain it for as long as possible. Here are a few dentist-recommended tips to keep your smile stain-free:
Brush and floss your teeth daily
Consistent toothbrushing and flossing will keep plaque at bay and prevent it from causing yellowish stains to appear around the tooth. For best results, use a soft-bristled or electric toothbrush with a fluoride-rich toothpaste.
Avoid foods and drinks that can stain
If you’re a notorious coffee or wine drinker, you will need to make some adjustments to your diet to prevent future staining. Pro tip: You do not have to avoid these and other highly pigmented food and drinks completely. Just rinse with water afterward or use a straw to reduce contact.
Use over-the-counter whitening products carefully
While whitening strips and toothpastes can help maintain the results of your professional dentist teeth whitening treatment, make sure to use them as instructed. Overuse can irritate the enamel and do more harm than good.
Quit smoking or reduce tobacco use
Tobacco is one of the fastest ways to create deep yellow and brown stains. Reducing or quitting altogether can dramatically improve the colour of your teeth and your overall health!
See your dentist regularly
Professional teeth cleanings are an easy, foolproof way to prevent staining. We recommend getting this done every six months for a confidently bright smile.