Tooth Discolouration: Causes, Prevention and Treatments

Tooth discolouration is a very common concern and can appear in many different ways. Some discolouration is mild and only noticeable in certain light, while other cases can be more obvious.

Understanding what causes discoloured teeth, what the different types of teeth stains can mean, and when you should see a dentist can help you feel more informed and feel prepared for the next steps to take.

At Oasis Dental Studio, our experienced cosmetic and general dentists offer a range of treatments to help address tooth discolouration. If you’re concerned about stains or changes in your tooth colour, our friendly teams in the Gold Coast, Brisbane, Melbourne, or Pottsville can help you understand your options and develop a plan tailored to you.

If your discolouration has shown quite suddenly, is accompanied by pain or sensitivity, or only affects one or two teeth, it’s important to see a dentist as soon as you can to make sure that it is not an indication of any more significant dental concerns.

Types and Causes of Tooth Discolouration

Discoloured teeth and teeth stains can show in different ways. Different colours and patterns of staining can tell us a lot about the possible cause and help your dentist recommend the most effective treatment. Below is a general guide to the types of tooth discolouration and what might be behind them.

Extrinsic Discolouration: Surface Stains

Extrinsic staining refers to marks or stains that sit on the outer layer of your tooth (the enamel). This kind of discolouration is very common and often easier to treat than deeper or internal staining.

You may notice that your teeth look yellowed, dull, or have visible brown or black marks in certain areas.

Common causes of extrinsic staining may be:

• Certain food and drinks: Tea, coffee, red wine, and strongly coloured foods can contribute to staining over time. These pigments can stick to the enamel and gradually build up.
• Tobacco use: Smoking cigarettes or using other forms of tobacco is a leading cause of yellow and brown stains. Even light smokers may notice discolouration over time.
• Poor oral hygiene: When plaque and tartar build up, they can harden and pick up pigments from food and drinks, appearing as brown or yellow deposits.

Surface stains often respond well to professional cleaning, polishing, or whitening treatments, although it’s also important to address the habits that contributed to the discolouration.

Intrinsic Discolouration: Deeper Changes

Intrinsic discolouration comes from inside the tooth, within the dentine (the layer underneath the enamel). Since this type of discolouration is internal, it usually doesn’t respond to surface cleaning and can sometimes indicate damage or disease.

Signs of intrinsic discolouration may include a tooth that looks grey, dark brown, or even black, either across all teeth or just one or two.

Common causes include:

• Trauma or injury to the tooth: A fall or impact to the mouth can damage the tooth’s nerve and blood supply, sometimes leading to a grey, brown, or black tooth weeks or months later.
• Certain medications: Some types of medications may cause staining of the teeth.

Dental decay: As a cavity deepens, the affected area of the tooth may darken, sometimes appearing brown, grey, or black.

• Fluorosis: Excessive fluoride during tooth development can lead to white, brown, or mottled spots on the teeth.
• Previous dental work: Older metal fillings can give a greyish tint to surrounding teeth over time.
• Developmental conditions: Certain rare conditions affecting enamel or dentine development can result in noticeable discolouration.

Intrinsic discolouration may require more advanced treatment than whitening treatments, such as veneers or crowns, depending on the condition of the teeth.

Age-Related Discolouration

It’s very normal for teeth to change colour gradually as we age. The enamel naturally wears thinner, exposing more of the underlying dentine, which is naturally more yellow.

Years of exposure to staining foods, drinks, and habits like smoking also build up over time, adding to a duller or more yellowed appearance.

When to See a Dentist About Tooth Discolouration

Some discolouration is mainly cosmetic, while other changes can indicate something more serious. We recommend booking a check-up if:

• You notice sudden or severe discolouration on one tooth
• Your discolouration is accompanied by pain, swelling, or sensitivity
• You see white, brown, or black spots developing on multiple teeth
• Your gums look red, swollen, or are bleeding when you brush
• You are simply interested in cosmetic treatments to change the colour of your teeth

If your discolouration is sudden, severe, or associated with trauma (especially if the tooth is painful, loose, or bleeding), please get in touch with our team for emergency dental care.

If you are experiencing these symptoms, it’s important to see one of our experienced emergency dentists as soon as possible to prevent the condition from potentially worsening. During your appointment, we’ll do our best to ensure that you feel as comfortable as possible.

We keep a flexible schedule at our locations in the Gold Coast, Brisbane (West End), Melbourne (Brighton), and Pottsville to make sure that we can accommodate your dental emergency.

Possible Treatment Options for Tooth Discolouration

At Oasis Dental Studio, we offer a range of treatment options depending on the type and cause of your tooth discolouration. Some types of tooth discolouration can easily be treated with a professional clean, while others may require some more advanced care.

Professional Dental Cleaning

For surface stains caused by plaque, tartar, and diet, a thorough clean and can make a noticeable difference. Our general dentists can remove the hardened deposits, leaving your teeth noticeably brighter.

Teeth Whitening Treatments

Professional whitening treatments can lighten the overall colour of your teeth, removing deeper stains that regular cleaning can’t reach.

We offer in-chair treatments with ZOOM! Teeth Whitening, which provides fast results in a single visit, and can take about an hour to perform. We can personalise your treatment to ensure that you get the right shade and strength of treatment to suit the sensitivity of your teeth.

If you prefer at-home whitening, we can also offer treatment with our custom take-home whitening kits, which let you gradually brighten your teeth at home under our guidance. While in-chair treatments are stronger, our take-home kits are still designed with a faster-acting approach than the over-the-counter whitening treatments you may find.

Whitening is generally most effective for extrinsic discolouration and some types of age-related yellowing. It’s not usually effective for intrinsic stains caused by trauma, fluorosis, or certain medications.

Veneers and Crowns

For more severe intrinsic discolouration or cases where whitening is unlikely to help, we may recommend treatment with veneers or crowns.

At Oasis, our durable porcelain veneers are designed to bond to the front of your teeth, giving a comprehensive, brightened appearance. We also offer composite veneers, known as composite bonding, which can provide a faster but less durable result.

Crowns fully cover the tooth and may be used if the tooth is also damaged or heavily restored.

Treating Underlying Causes

Sometimes discolouration is a symptom of an underlying issue, like decay, infection, or gum disease. Sufficiently treating these conditions with suitable treatment approaches first is an important step before moving to any cosmetic treatment options.

When Addressing Tooth Discolouration Is Important

While some types of tooth discolouration is only cosmetic, sometimes it can be a warning sign of more serious dental problems, such as infection, decay, or trauma.

By addressing discolouration early, you can help maintain your oral health and allow your dentist to address any potential concerns before they possibly worsen over time.

How Oasis Dental Studio Can Help

At Oasis Dental Studio, our team understands that every smile is unique.

We take the time to assess your teeth, explain what’s behind the discolouration, and guide you through your treatment options. Whether you need a simple, clean, professional whitening or a more involved solution like veneers, we’ll tailor a plan to suit your needs.

If you’d like to discuss options for treating tooth discolouration or book a check-up, please get in touch with our team at one of our locations in the Gold Coast, Brisbane, Melbourne or Pottsville.

If your discolouration has appeared suddenly, is limited to one tooth, or is accompanied by pain or swelling, we offer emergency dental care. Please get in touch with our team for emergency care if you are experiencing these symptoms and if they seem to be worsening.