Discoloration on the teeth — where do they come from and how to treat them?

Where does the discolouration on the teeth come from?

Discolourations on the teeth are changes in the colour of the enamel or deeper layers of the tooth, which can have various causes. Most often they result from the effects of colouring substances contained in coffee, tea, wine, cigarettes or certain foods, as well as from insufficient oral hygiene. Other discolourations can occur inside the tooth – for example, as a result of trauma, root canal treatment, the use of certain medications (e.g., tetracyclines), or excessive fluoride exposure in childhood. Some discolourations are difficult to see; others stand out against the background of white teeth, but all, however, darken over time. Depending on the cause, discolourations can be superficial or deep, and their removal requires appropriate hygienic or aesthetic treatments in the dental office.

Causes of the formation of discolouration on the teeth

The most common causes of discolouration on the teeth can be divided into two main groups:

External factors (exogenous)

Superficial discolouration, which is formed on the enamel as a result of contact with dyes:

1 Foods and drinks — Coffee, tea, red wine, cola, blueberries, beets or curries contain natural dyes that settle on the enamel.

2 Cigarette smoking — Nicotine and tar in tobacco smoke cause yellowish or brownish deposits on the teeth.

3. Improper oral hygiene — Irregular brushing and lack of flossing promote the deposition of plaque, which easily takes up dyes.

4 Chlorhexidine rinses — Long-term use of antibacterial rinses can lead to dark discolouration.

5. Dyes in medicines or supplements — Some iron preparations or herbal infusions can stain teeth.

Internal factors (endogenous)

Deep discolourations, arising in the dentin or associated with the development of the tooth:

1. Injuries to the teeth — The impact can lead to pulp death and darkening of the tooth (often greying).

Medications taken in childhood — Tetracycline used in children or pregnant women can permanently discolour developing teeth.

3 Fluorosis — Too much fluoride during tooth formation leads to white, yellow and sometimes brown spots.

4. Age-related changes — Enamel wears off over time, and darker dentin becomes more visible.

5. Malformations of enamel or dentin—Abnormalities in the structure of the tooth tissues can cause uneven colour.

Types of discolouration — what does colour tell us?

The colour of the discolouration on the teeth can be a valuable diagnostic guideline — it often reveals not only the cause of the colour change but also the state of oral health. Each shade may have a different source and require a different approach to treatment.

White discolouration

Most often they mean the beginnings of demineralisation of enamel — these are the so-called caries spots, which can go into cavities. Another possible cause is fluorosis (excess fluoride in childhood) or enamel hypoplasia (underdevelopment of enamel). These changes often occur in children and adolescents.

Yellow discolouration

This is the result of natural ageing — with age, the enamel wears off, and yellowish dentin begins to shine through it. The yellowing of the teeth is also promoted by the consumption of colouring products and hygiene negligence.

Brown discolouration

They are often caused by the accumulation of sediment and tartar, as well as the consumption of coffee, tea, red wine or smoking. Brown spots usually appear on the surface of the enamel and can be removed during professional cleaning.

Grey discolouration

They usually indicate deeper problems – for example, necrosis of the pulp of the tooth or the intake of tetracyclines in childhood. The tooth may turn grey from the inside, which often requires root canal treatment and internal whitening or the use of veneers.

Black discolouration

Most often they are the result of cigarette smoking or the presence of colouring bacteria in the mouth. Dark sediment can be deposited on the border of the gums and needs to be removed in the dental office.

Blue discolourations

They occur very rarely but can be the result of the use of certain medications or genetic disorders. In such cases, a specialist consultation is necessary.

The variety of colours of hyperpigmentation indicates that we are not always faced with the same problem – therefore, accurate diagnosis and an individual approach to treatment are important.

Are discolourations on the teeth dangerous?

Discolouration on the teeth can be a signal of problems that require attention. Many discolourations are purely aesthetic — such as coffee, tea or cigarette deposits — and can be easily removed during sanitisation. However, others, such as white spots that are a sign of enamel demineralisation (that is, the beginnings of caries) or greying of the tooth after trauma (which may indicate pulp necrosis), may indicate more serious changes. Therefore, although not every discolouration requires treatment, it is worth consulting with a dentist to rule out structural or disease problems. Early diagnosis allows you to prevent damage from deepening and tooth loss.

Can a discoloured tooth be cured?

A discoloured tooth can be cured, but how to treat it depends on the cause and type of discolouration.

If the discolouration is superficial (external), e.g., from coffee, tea, cigarettes, sediment or stone, the solution is professional teeth cleaning (scaling, sandblasting), whitening pastes, or home or office whitening.

If the discolouration is internal (deep), e.g., caused by pulp necrosis, trauma, drugs (tetracyclines), or fluorosis, then only whitening or veneers/crowns can help (when whitening has no effect or the tooth is weakened).

If the discolouration is associated with caries or decay, the only solution is to remove the caries and restore the tooth with a natural-coloured composite material.

In summary, in most cases, tooth discolouration can be effectively removed or masked. However, the correct diagnosis is important, so it is worth consulting with a dentist who will select the appropriate method of treatment.

How to get rid of discolouration on the teeth?

You can get rid of discolouration using dental procedures, i.e., cleaning, whitening or veneers. However, let's start from the beginning.

Scaling

Tooth scaling is a dental procedure that involves the removal of tartar, which is mineralised bacterial plaque that accumulates most often along the gum line and between the teeth. It is performed using an ultrasonic or manual scaler, and after the procedure, there is usually a polishing of the surface of the teeth, which prevents the deposition of sediment again.

How does scaling help with discolouration? Removes external discolouration. Reveals the natural colour of the teeth; after removing dark deposits and stone, the teeth become lighter and look healthier. It smoothes the surface of the teeth, making it harder for food and drink dyes to settle on them in the future.

Sandblasting

Tooth sandblasting is a painless dental procedure that involves removing deposits and discolouration from the surface of the teeth by means of a stream of fine powder (so-called dental sand) mixed with water and air. The particles gently clean the enamel, reaching even hard-to-reach places, such as interdental spaces or the gingival area.

How does sandblasting help with discolouration? Removes deposits and discolouration from hard-to-reach places — between teeth, at the gum line and on enamel irregularities. Effectively eliminates external discolouration.

Polishing

Tooth polishing is a dental procedure performed most often after scaling and sandblasting, which consists of smoothing the enamel surface with a special polishing paste and rubber bands or rotary brushes. The purpose of polishing is to remove small residues of deposits, smooth out microscopic irregularities and give the teeth a natural shine. Thanks to this, the teeth become not only more aesthetic but also less susceptible to the deposition of bacterial plaque and discolouration. The procedure is painless and fast and is an important element of prevention and oral hygiene.

Office whitening

Office whitening is a professional procedure performed in a dental office, which consists of applying a special whitening gel (usually containing hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide) to the teeth, which is then activated by the light of a lamp. This treatment allows you to effectively lighten your teeth even by a few shades in a short time and is especially helpful in removing discolouration caused by coffee, tea, red wine, smoking or natural ageing of teeth. Office whitening works on the deeper layers of enamel, which is why it also copes with some of the more difficult discolourations, improving the aesthetics of the smile quickly and safely.

Overlay Whitening

Overlay whitening at home involves wearing individually tailored overlays filled with whitening gel, which the patient receives from the dentist after taking dental impressions beforehand. Overlays are usually worn for several hours a day or overnight for a period of several days to several weeks, depending on the doctor's recommendations and the effects. This method effectively brightens teeth and helps to remove discolouration caused by, among others, coffee, tea, cigarettes, red wine or natural darkening of enamel with age. Overlay whitening is safe and convenient and allows you to achieve a gradual but lasting aesthetic effect.

Internal whitening

Internal teeth whitening is a specialised treatment used in the case of dead teeth that have become discoloured, e.g., after trauma, root canal treatment or pulp necrosis. It consists of opening the tooth from the inside and placing in its chamber a special whitening preparation, which remains there for several days and then is replaced or removed until the desired effect is achieved. The procedure allows you to effectively lighten dark, grey or yellow teeth from the inside, which is not possible with ordinary external whitening. Thanks to this, it improves the aesthetics of the smile, restoring the uniform colour of the teeth without the need for veneers or crowns.

Veneers

Veneers are thin overlays made most often of porcelain or composite that are fixed on the front surface of the teeth to improve their appearance. The treatment consists of minimal grinding of the enamel (although not always necessary) and permanent glueing of the veneer to the tooth. Veneers effectively mask permanent discolouration that cannot be removed by bleaching, e.g., those caused by tetracyclines, fluorosis, tooth necrosis or enamel damage. Thanks to them, you can achieve a uniform, bright colour of the teeth and improve their shape and alignment, which gives an instant aesthetic effect and a natural smile. Veneers are the best solution for persistent and extensive discolouration.

How to prevent the appearance of hyperpigmentation?

To prevent the formation of discolouration on the teeth, it is worth introducing into the daily routine a few simple but effective habits. Here are some good practices that help maintain the natural colour of your teeth:

1) Regular oral hygiene – brush your teeth at least 2 times a day with fluoride paste, and preferably after each meal. Use dental floss or an irrigator to remove food debris and bacterial plaque from the interdental spaces. Regular brushing prevents plaque buildup and superficial discolouration.

2) Limit consumption of colouring products — avoid or limit drinking coffee, tea, red wine, cola, and intensely coloured juices. If you do not want to give up, drink through a straw to limit the contact of the drink with your teeth.

3) Quit smoking and avoid tobacco — cigarette smoking is one of the main causes of dark discolouration and plaque on the teeth. Limiting tobacco has immediate aesthetic and health benefits.

4) Regular visits to the dentist – scaling and sandblasting every 6-12 months effectively remove deposits and prevent discolouration. Professional hygiene is the best prevention and way to preserve a bright smile.

5) Use whitening pastes (in moderation) — gentle whitening pastes help remove daily blemishes, but they should not be used daily for a long time so as not to damage the enamel.

6) Rinse your mouth after eating and drinking — rinsing your mouth quickly with water after consuming colouring foods or drinks reduces the risk of them settling on your teeth.

Implementing these practices not only prevents discolouration but also supports overall oral health and allows you to enjoy an aesthetic smile for longer.