What causes stains on teeth and what are your treatment options to get rid of them?

A captivating smile can light up a room and leave a lasting impression, but what happens when the natural brilliance of your teeth starts to fade?

Tooth discolouration – which can manifest as stains on your teeth, spots or marks on teeth is likely to affect us all at some point in our lives, impacting the self-esteem of even the most confident amongst us.

In this article, we explore the different factors which contribute to teeth discolouration. We also discuss what exactly stains on teeth are, their causes, preventative measures and possible solutions, such as the Impress professional whitening service.

Are you a coffee aficionado?

Whether you're an avid coffee lover, a fan of red wine, or simply curious about maintaining a radiant smile, join us as we explore the factors contributing to teeth discolouration. We'll also reveal the secrets to restoring your pearly whites.

What are stains on your teeth?

Tooth discolouration, often referred to as stains on teeth, is the gradual process of yellowing or the dulling colour of teeth that can affect your smile over time. It is also common for light- or dark-coloured marks to appear on the teeth as a result of staining.

Consuming certain foods, drinks and medications, as well as other factors like smoking, dental injuries, and poor oral health, are often responsible for tooth discolouration.

What causes stained teeth?

You may be wondering what exactly causes teeth to stain. A range of factors can lead to stained teeth, some of which fall within our control, whilst others lie beyond it.

Teeth discolouration can be a common and often concerning issue. If you struggle with stained teeth, it can cast a shadow over your confidence and self-esteem. 

Avoidable causes of stained teeth

• Dark-coloured food and drinks: Over time, coffee, tea, berries, red wine and soy sauce all contribute to staining teeth, which may be something to consider next time you make a cuppa.

• Smoking and tobacco use: Teeth discolouration is more widespread amongst those who smoke and use tobacco, as proven by extensive research.

• Poor oral hygiene: An adequate oral health routine is crucial to preventing tooth stains. Lack of proper brushing and flossing results in stains clinging to dental plaque, which can cause tooth discolouration over time.

• Excess fluoride exposure: Although fluoride is important in protecting us against tooth decay, being exposed to too much whilst the teeth are still developing can cause fluorosis, which manifests as white spots on the tooth’s surface.

Unavoidable causes of stained teeth

• Genetics: Every smile is unique. Due to genetic diversity, each and every one of us has teeth of different shades, brightness and translucency.

• Dental trauma: Accidents, like falls, motor incidents, or sports-induced injuries, happen unexpectedly, causing trauma to the teeth that can result in staining.

• Ageing: As time goes on, our teeth undergo a natural transformation. When the enamel starts to thin, more of the dentin beneath, which is a yellowish colour, begins to be exposed. This results in teeth appearing darker or duller as we age.

• Dental treatments: The materials used for certain procedures, such as silver fillings, can lead to the surrounding teeth appearing greyish in hue. Furthermore, tooth-coloured fillings and the surface of teeth beside them can also stain after root canal treatments.

• Health conditions: Some health conditions can lead to tooth discolouration, including liver diseases and eating disorders.

• Medication side effects: Some antihistamines and high blood pressure medication, amongst others, contribute to teeth staining. Discolouration can also be caused by taking antibiotics like tetracycline or doxycycline as a child.

• Cancer treatment: One of the side effects of cancer treatments like chemotherapy and head-neck radiation is tooth discolouration, as the reduction in saliva production causes teeth to stain.

So how can you maintain and restore your smile’s natural brilliance? The first step to making informed decisions about your dental hygiene is recognising the many factors that lead to stained teeth.

Why do my teeth stain so easily?

Porous enamel causes some people’s teeth to stain more quickly than others, which can result in quicker absorption of staining. Things such as:

• Coloured pigments from food

• Alcoholic beverages and carbonated drinks

• Tobacco and smoking

• Levels of acidity in your saliva

• Poor oral hygiene

All of the above are bad for your health, but can have a harsher effect and be more easily absorbed on porous teeth, which means, unfortunately, a greater impact and possibility of teeth staining.

Whiten your smile with Impress

At Impress, we offer professional teeth whitening services to remove stains from teeth. Using LED lamps, our state-of-the-art, safe and professional whitening treatments effectively eliminate stains and whiten teeth up to 5 shades lighter in a way that lasts. Plus, results are immediate, noticeable after just a single session.

If you’re interested in finding out more about how Impress can improve your smile, visit your nearest Impress clinic to meet the experts who will supervise your treatment. You can also book an appointment online, by phone at +44 20 3808 1072, or via WhatsApp.

Updated: July 2025