Stained and Discolored Teeth

How you feel about your smile has a powerful impact on your confidence and daily life. If you're self-conscious about stains or discoloration, you might find yourself smiling less often. At Richmond Centre Dental Clinic, we care deeply about how our patients feel about their smiles. Tooth discoloration is a common concern we treat, whether it's mild yellowing or more pronounced brown or gray staining. During your consultation, our experienced dental team will discuss your goals and recommend the best treatment options to help restore your smile’s natural brightness.

What Causes Stained and Discolored Teeth?

Tooth staining occurs when the natural color of your teeth changes due to various internal and external factors. Discoloration can happen either on the surface (extrinsic stains) or within the tooth (intrinsic stains).


Extrinsic Stains:


  • Surface Stains: These are often caused by everyday foods and beverages like coffee, tea, red wine, berries, tomato sauces, and smoking or tobacco use. These substances leave colored residues on the enamel.
  • Poor Oral Hygiene: Inadequate brushing and flossing can lead to plaque buildup, which hardens into tartar and contributes to surface discoloration.


Intrinsic Stains:


  • Medications: Certain antibiotics, such as tetracycline, taken during early childhood, can cause deep internal staining that’s harder to remove.
  • Trauma or Injury: Physical injury to a tooth can stimulate excess dentin growth, leading to a yellow or darker appearance.
  • Aging: As we age, enamel naturally thins, revealing more of the yellowish dentin underneath, resulting in a darker-looking smile.

Prevention and Treatment For Stained Teeth

Preventing stained teeth involves maintaining good oral hygiene practices, regular dental check-ups, and minimizing the consumption of staining foods and beverages. Professional dental cleanings can help remove surface stains, but if the stains on your teeth are deeper, treatments such as teeth whitening, veneers (thin shells placed over the front of teeth), or crowns (caps that cover the entire tooth) may be recommended by our dentist to improve your tooth color.


Keeping your smile bright and healthy is a partnership between daily care at home and professional support. Our team will work with you to understand the cause of your staining and develop a personalized plan to help you achieve and maintain a radiant smile.

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