What Causes Stained Teeth?

We all strive for a brighter smile, with some of us opting for home teeth whitening kits or attempting natural home remedies to strip the enamel of our teeth. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the safest option and can be a waste of time and money if you don’t find the root cause of the problem.

Stained teeth are a common issue that many of us face in our lifetime and can be caused by a variety of different factors. Whilst some causes of stained teeth are beyond your control, others causes are usually down to our day-to-day lifestyle, diet, hygiene or even medication.

Stains on your teeth occur on the surface or below the tooth enamel. Whilst there are many different causes of tooth staining, we have explained some of the most common causes and how you can remove these stains for a brighter, whiter smile.

Diet

Stain particles from a pigmented residue (which is usually found in foods and drinks) can build up in the film of protein that covers the enamel on our tooth surface. Over time, this residue can turn to a yellowish-brown shade and can make the teeth appear unclean.

Common foods and drinks to limit include coffee, tea, fizzy drinks, wine and some dark fruits and vegetables, such as blackberries, blueberries, cherries and beetroots.

Smoking

One of the most common causes of stained teeth is smoking cigarettes, which is due to the tar and nicotine chemicals found in cigarettes. Smoking can yellow the teeth in a short period of time, which is why many long-term smokers suffer from brown teeth due to excessive smoking over many years.

Poor Oral Hygiene

Poor oral hygiene is a common cause of most critical dental problems, so of course, this can contribute towards stained teeth.

After consuming sugary foods or drinks or even engaging in smoking, the pigmented residue can build up in the film of protein which surrounds the enamel of your teeth, which can cause extrinsic stains when the teeth are not cleaned properly.

If you struggle to maintain good oral hygiene, this film can gradually turn a yellowy-brown colour and can give the appearance of stained teeth. For this reason, you should ensure that you are regularly brushing your teeth twice a day (for two minutes each time) using a fluoride toothpaste and the teeth are regularly flossed.

Medical Treatment

Some medical treatments can contribute to tooth discolouration, including blood pressure controlled medications, antihistamines, tetracycline, doxycycline, mouthwashes containing chlorhexidine and cetylpyridinium and also chemotherapy treatment.

Depending on the quantity of and the length of your treatment course, your teeth can stain sooner, so it’s worth knowing that not all causes of staining are due to poor hygiene or dental habits. This can be frustrating for those who have no choice but to turn to medication to treat a condition as it leaves many feeling less than confident with showing their smile.

Ageing

Over time, the teeth naturally discolour, which is commonly known as age-related discolouration. In addition to stains caused by foods, drinks, medicines or smoking, the teeth naturally yellow over time due to the enamel of the teeth becoming thinner as time goes on.

As the enamel wears away, it exposes the tooth as the translucency reduces, making the teeth appear darker than they were in previous years.

How To Remove Stains On Teeth

Staining of the teeth is a natural process of life and can’t always be easily avoided. If you’re wondering how to clean stained teeth, you should begin by ensuring that you have good oral hygiene habits and that you are regularly brushing and flossing as recommended by your dentist. You should also avoid (or limit) foods and beverages which are known to discolour the teeth. 

You may also wish to visit your cosmetic dentist in Essex for advice, as they will be able to recommend a suitable treatment, such as cosmetic bonding, dental veneers or professional teeth whitening. Teeth whitening is the most affordable option, which is a simple and effective method of reversing dental discolouration, a tried and trusted method used by many dental patients around the world.

Teeth whitening can dramatically enhance your smile and overall appearance by restoring the natural shade of your teeth to make your teeth appear clean and white. The treatment is also known as a confidence-booster to create that perfect smile with a non-invasive and painless dentistry procedure.

It’s worth understanding that not all patients will require the teeth whitening treatment, as some staining can be removed with a deep clean as part of our dental hygienist service, however, a deep clean cannot remove intense stains which have built up over a long period of time, therefore a teeth whitening treatment takes the stain removal to the next level.

There are also hundreds of electric toothbrushes available on the market which can support in whitening your teeth by deep cleaning the surfaces of your enamel. Electric toothbrushes are available to suit all budgets and requirements, whilst most are equipped with a two-minute timer to give you guidance on how long to brush your teeth for.

Achieve a Whiter Smile

Teeth whitening can make a tremendous difference in just one treatment and is a quick and effective method of removing stains on the surfaces of the teeth.

At Perfect Smile Spa, we recognise how important a smile is to our patients. This is why our highly-skilled and experienced cosmetic dentists are there for you every step of the way in achieving your perfect smile.

Our dental practice is located in Essex and is easily accessible from most areas around the UK. For more information on our teeth whitening treatments, please get in touch with us or call us on 01708 442 114.