3 Different Types of Teeth Stains and How to Remove Them

Are your pearly whites looking a bit less white these days?

Contrary to popular belief, our teeth aren’t supposed to be perfectly white; it’s pretty easy to spot someone who took their tooth whitening a bit too far. That said, too much yellowing or other teeth stains can take a few watts off your smile.

Fortunately, despite what the name may suggest, teeth stains aren’t permanent. And, with some help, you’ll be able to get your teeth back to a beautiful, healthy white in no time.

The Different Types of Teeth Stains

While there are thousands of potential causes for tooth stains, all stains fall into three unique categories: intrinsic stains, extrinsic stains, and age-related stains.

Here’s everything you need to know about the three primary types of teeth stains and what causes them.

1. Intrinsic Stains

Intrinsic tooth stains cover all discoloration that takes place within the enamel. Because these stains build up below the surface level, they can be a bit more difficult to remove — but that doesn’t mean you have to worry about being stuck with them forever.

While intrinsic stains can come from the same sources as extrinsic stains, they can also come from excessive fluoride use.

2. Extrinsic Stains

As the name suggests, extrinsic tooth stains are stains that build up on the outside of the tooth. This discoloration is nearly impossible to avoid as it can come from regular eating and drinking — although excessive consumption of beverages like red wine and dark soda and tobacco use can exacerbate the issue.

Extrinsic stains can be the easiest to deal with, as regular brushing and flossing should be enough to clear them up. But, if left unchecked extrinsic stains can sink into the tooth’s enamel, becoming intrinsic.

3. Age-Related Stains

Finally, as we get older, the enamel on our teeth can begin to thin, revealing the naturally more yellow dentin inside. Couple that with day-to-day extrinsic and potential intrinsic stains, and you get age-related staining.

How to Remove Teeth Stains

Fortunately, no matter how your tooth stains came about, thanks to advancements in oral hygiene and teeth whitening, there are plenty of easy ways you can take care of them, even in the comfort of your own home.

Tooth whitening strips, gels, and kits are all widely available, reasonably inexpensive, and highly effective for cleaning up nearly all types of tooth stains. That said, when it comes to taking care of more extreme discoloration that stems from underlying health issues, you may want to seek out professional assistance.

However you decide to get rid of your stains if you want to maintain your pearly whites, dentists unanimously agree that brushing and flossing twice a day is the only guaranteed way to keep your teeth looking their best. If your chompers are prone to staining, you may also want to consider staying away from foods like coffee or red wine, which are notorious for staining teeth.

Getting Your Pearly Whites, White Again

Now that you know what causes teeth stains and how you can remove them, it’s time to get to work getting your smile back. You can learn more about cosmetic procedures such as teeth cleaning services from the Dentist in Oakbrook Terrace.

Are you looking for more advice on how you can keep your pearly whites healthy and looking their best? We’ve got you covered. Check out the rest of our blog for more helpful articles and tips today.