Staining & Whitening

Staining & Whitening

What causes tooth stains? *

Tooth stains can be embarrassing as they may be seen as a sign that someone doesn’t look after their teeth properly, but there’s more to staining than meets the eye.

There are two main types of tooth stain: stains that appear on the surface of the tooth (extrinsic), and staining that appears within the structure of the tooth (intrinsic).

Extrinsic stains can be caused by:

  • Poor oral hygiene – plaque stuck on the teeth turning yellow.
  • Foods like curry and drinks, such as tea, coffee, red wine and soft
  • drinks.
  • Iron tablets may leave black marks.
  • Some antibiotics, especially tetracycline.
  • Mouthwashes with antibacterial qualities

Intrinsic stains can be caused by:

  • Fluoride from toothpaste and fluoride drops - causing both brown stains and white flecks.
  • Age. Enamel thins with age, and can result in brown staining on the teeth.
  • The use of tetracycline antibiotic by children with developing teeth (aged 3-12 years old) can result in brown and grey striping across the enamel surfaces.

Combination stains:

  • Smoking can cause both extrinsic staining and, with prolonged use, intrinsic staining of the tooth enamel.
  • Tooth decay can cause both intrinsic and extrinsic staining.

What’s the difference between staining and discoloration?

Staining and discolouration are slightly different. Discolouration is caused by a filling bleeding within the tooth, causing it to change colour; or by the nerve dying inside the tooth and bleeding into the root canal. Discolouration can also be the result of erosion and wear of the tooth.

Can I do anything about staining?

As extrinsic stains affect a tooth’s surface, they are relatively simple to remove with a thorough oral hygiene routine of brushing, flossing and rinsing. Plaque and debris that cause this staining can also be removed professionally by dentists.

Although whitening toothpastes can help to remove stains, they do not stay in contact with teeth for long enough to lighten their colour. LISTERINE® Stay White can prevent the build up of stains while reducing the build up of plaque bacteria which can lead to discoloured teeth.