Why Are My Teeth Discoloured? How To Get a Whiter Smile

Bright, white teeth are often associated with good health, and a naturally radiant smile often brings confidence. So if your smile has become faded, discoloured, or stained, you may feel self-conscious.

You may have increased the duration of your brushing sessions or switched your toothbrush and toothpaste for products that promise a brighter smile. But so often, these changes do little to alter the appearance of your teeth. 

The good news is that you don’t need to live with dark or dull teeth—there are ways to bring the sparkle back! 

In this guide, we’ll look at what causes discolouration and what you can do to get a whiter smile. 

What Causes Teeth To Become Stained or Discoloured? 

Several factors could cause discolouration or staining. In many cases, there may be more than one reason your teeth have become stained. Here are some possible causes. 

Food and Drink

One of the most obvious ways your teeth can become stained is through diet. The surface of your teeth isn’t as smooth as you may imagine. Your teeth are covered in microscopic pores. Just like the pores of your skin, they can trap particles. 

If you consume lots of dark berries, spices, coffee, tea, and red wine, your teeth may store up the evidence. Tiny amounts of these stain-inducing substances become trapped in your teeth. Brushing will only do so much to remove embedded stains. 

Smoking and Vaping

There are several oral health risks associated with smoking. Smoke can dry your mouth and cause gum disease, which can harm your jaws and lead to the loss of teeth. Oral cancer is a major concern, too. 

While these problems increase in likelihood when you have smoked for several years, being a smoker will affect the appearance of your smile sooner. Tar and nicotine from cigarettes can cause staining and discolouration. Although smoker’s toothpastes are available, these stains are often stubborn. 

It’s not just cigarette smoking that could stain your smile. Vaping can also cause discolouration. Although there is no smoke, the nicotine from your vape will still leave its mark. 

Illness and Medication

There are several health problems that could cause discolouration, including: 

• Calcium deficiency
• Liver problems
• Eating disorders
• Celiac disease 
• Metabolic diseases

If you’ve had an infection in your tooth, it could appear grey or black. 

Certain medications can also affect the appearance of your teeth, including some blood pressure medications and antihistamines. 

Natural Ageing

As you get older, your enamel may become thinner. Your enamel is the part of your tooth that colours your smile. Thinner enamel reveals the dentin layer below. As this is darker in colour, it can give your teeth more of a yellow hue. 

How Can You Remove Stains and Discolouration?

We can give you a brighter and healthier smile in a few ways. This includes hygiene treatments, teeth whitening, and veneers. 

Hygiene Treatments

A visit to our dental hygienist can refresh your smile. We use a treatment called Airflow Tooth Polishing. This uses jets of water, air, and bicarbonate particles to move the surface stains from your teeth. It’s a brief, simple, painless procedure that makes your teeth feel brand new! 

Teeth Whitening

We offer Enlighten Evolution —an at-home whitening treatment that conveniently brightens your smile with a B1 Vita shade. This is the most natural shade of white on the tooth colour shade used by dentists. 

The treatment is simple. We’ll make a set of custom whitening trays, like mouthguards, especially for your teeth. These trays will be filled with a special whitening solution. Over the next two weeks, you’ll wear the trays nightly to brighten your teeth from the comfort of your home. 

Enlighten is safe and highly effective —and you can top up your treatment if your teeth ever fade. 

Dental Veneers

Porcelain veneers are fine shells that cover your natural teeth. Each veneer is made for you, so it’ll suit your smile perfectly. Veneers give your teeth a uniform appearance, reshaping and covering damage and discolouration. 

Bright and Healthy Smiles in Sheffield

If your smile has lost its sparkle, there are ways we can help bring it back. At Harley Private Dental, we can provide you with a treatment plan suited to your needs. Call today and book your consultation.

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