What is causing my teeth to stain? What can I do about it?

I often have patients who come if for their bi annual cleaning thinking they have a cavity. In many cases it only turns out to be stain and can be removed in a variety of ways. I also have some patients who know exactly how the stain got there and want to know what their options are to remove it. There are some common causes of tooth staining and a variety of ways to remove the stains.

Common Causes of Stains

  1. Smoking/Tobacco Use

    The tar deposits from smoking are difficult to remove with a toothbrush only so frequent professional cleanings are recommended.

  2. Food Pigments (coffee, tea, berries, red wines)

    Using a straw to drink highly pigmented drinks is a good way to reduces contact time of those pigments that stain with the teeth.

    Rinse your teeth with water after having coffee or tea, and if you can, brushing is even better.

  3. Trauma ( ex. accidental headbutt to the mouth during recess or car accident involving a head/tooth injury)

    Often times a tooth loses vitality after it is subjected to a traumatic hit or force and will turn brown or gray. A crown to cover it completely or bleaching it from the inside out are ways to change its color.

  4. Medications (tetracycline use as a child or before birth)

    Tooth whitening is often the best way to improve the appearance of teeth stained from medications.

  5. Disturbance in Tooth Development (disturbance in tooth growth during childhood or before birth)

    Often, growth disturbances in teeth require fillings or crowns to improve the appearance of these teeth.

  6. Dental Restorations (ex. silver fillings can cast a gray hue on the tooth it is placed in)

    Dr. Seide places white fillings for a more natural tooth appearance.

What can I do to prevent or lessen staining on my teeth?

  • Use a straw when drinking room temperature or cold drinks to lower the contact time of pigments on your teeth

  • Quit smoking

  • Use an electric toothbrush and water flosser, they polish your teeth better than a manual toothbrush and make the surface smoother so it is harder for stain to attach to the teeth

  • Toothpaste with baking soda and hydrogen peroxide gives a natural whitening boost

  • Whitening treatment once or twice a year, the whitening gels remove the surface and deeper stains within the enamel.

Call 708-344-4334 to set up an appointment with Dr. Seide if you have concerns about teeth staining and would like to know what your options are to remove them.

Ashley Seide