NEW YORK, NY / ACCESS Newswire / December 4, 2025 / Many people struggle with tooth discoloration at some point in their lives due to many reasons, from aging to dietary habits. If your teeth begin to look dull or discolored, it may affect your confidence. Understanding why discoloration occurs is the first step toward restoring a radiant smile. Two key types of tooth staining are extrinsic and intrinsic stains.1 Knowing which type you're experiencing can help the dentist determine treatment and teeth whitening costs. Read on to learn more about the common causes of tooth discoloration and how teeth whitening can help brighten your smile.
The causes of extrinsic stains
Extrinsic stains are the most common type of discoloration. They form when pigments build up on the surface of enamel. These stains often result from everyday exposure to food color, drinks, and tobacco.2
Dietary habits: Coffee, tea, red wine, and dark sodas contain colors that cling to tooth enamel. Deep-colored foods such as blueberries, tomato sauce, and curry can also contribute to staining. Rinsing with water after consuming these foods can minimize their impact.3
Tobacco products: Nicotine and tar from cigarettes or chewing tobacco can embed themselves into enamel and leave stubborn yellow or brown stains.1
Oral hygiene: Inconsistent brushing and flossing allow plaque and tartar to form. Plaque left on the surface of your teeth allows for more pigment and deepens tooth discoloration over time.
The causes of intrinsic stains
Intrinsic stains occur inside the tooth and cause the inner structure of the tooth to darken or turn yellow. Because these changes are inside the tooth, treating with surface-based methods don't work. To help with intrinsic stains, a dentist may recommend personalized whitening or cosmetic restorations in severe cases.
Aging: As you age, the enamel on your teeth gets thinner and the yellowish coloring underneath becomes more visible. This gradual change is one of the most universal causes of tooth discoloration.
Medications: Antibiotics like tetracycline can cause discoloration.4
Trauma: Just like our bones, our teeth can experience injury. Especially during childhood, it can lead to internal bleeding or nerve death, turning the tooth gray or brown.
Dental work: Metal amalgam fillings can slightly tint surrounding enamel. Artificial crowns or bridges do not respond to bleach-based whitening.
How whitening treatments work
If you want to reverse common stains, professional whitening is one of the most effective ways to brighten teeth. Dentists typically use hydrogen or carbamide peroxide gels that penetrate enamel pores. The teeth whitening approaches use peroxides that break down the stains, which react with pigment compounds and dismantle the stain structure.1
You can choose between two main whitening methods:
In-office treatments: Fast and powerful, these use higher peroxide concentrations and sometimes light activation to produce noticeable results in one visit.
At-home whitening kits: Custom trays and lower-concentration gels allow for gradual whitening for over two to four weeks.
How to keep your smile bright
Keeping your smile white doesn't end after treatment. Dentists suggest brushing twice daily with fluoride toothpaste, flossing, and limiting dark beverages to extend your teeth whitening results. For intrinsic stains, dental veneers or bonding may provide better long-term cosmetic results.
Discuss your goals and causes of discoloration with your dentist before teeth whitening, and make sure to ask about teeth whitening costs. With guided care and modern treatments, a brilliant, confident smile is well within reach.
Contact Information:
Name: Sonakshi Murze
Email: Sonakshi.murze@iquanti.com
Job Title: Manager
SOURCE: iQuanti
View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire