If you have tooth discoloration, you probably feel embarrassed in social situations. Learn the common ways teeth get stained and techniques to reverse it.

Before we tackle ways to fix tooth discoloration, let's talk about the types of teeth stains. By understanding what causes discoloration in the first place, you can avoid or delay dental treatment. Below are some of the common types you'll see.

Yellow stains usually result from your diet and lifestyle. For instance, if you drink a lot of tea, coffee, wine, or soda, or if you smoke, these can all cause your teeth to yellow. This is because the liquids penetrate the enamel of your teeth.

Some health issues may cause yellow staining as well. For example, chemotherapy and certain medications will have the side effect of yellowing teeth.

And lastly, if you've had excessive fluoride exposure, you may also get yellow stains.

White stains can also be caused by your diet too. Particularly, if you have a diet high in acidic or sugary foods and drinks, this will cause the enamel to break down.

If you have acid reflux disease, then this may cause white stains on your teeth too. If it's advanced enough, it may cause you to feel discomfort when eating or drinking things that are hot or cold.

As with yellow stains, you can also get white stains from too much fluoride. Other causes include an excess of plaque and sleeping with your mouth open.

Gray stains may not be as common as the other types, but perhaps you still have some and are curious about what the source is.

Many people born before the 1980s have gray teeth staining. This is a result of their mothers taking tetracycline, or them taking it as young children. After the side effects were discovered, doctors stopped prescribing the antibiotic to pregnant women and children, which is why younger people today rarely have gray staining on their teeth.

Other ways you can get gray teeth stains are from trauma and metal from dental procedures. 

Now that you know what causes tooth discoloration, we can move onto the ways to fix it. Here are all the methods, from the good, to the better, to the best.

Teeth cleanings are only good for light stains, as their main purpose isn't to remove stains. Instead, it's to remove plaque so your teeth stay nice and healthy.

Because of this, teeth cleanings are the only preventative method on this list. Every other fix is reactive; they're ones you use after staining's already happened.

It's important to get your teeth regularly cleaned, as not only will it prevent staining, but it'll also keep your teeth healthy and the cavities away. The frequency will depend on your current oral health; your oral hygienist will tell you how often to return for cleanings.

Teeth whitening is a simple cosmetic dental procedure that's very popular. This is because it's a quick process and it produces instant results.

You have the option of either using home teeth whitening trays or having it performed by a dentist. While the home option is more convenient, most (if not all) commercial kits don't have the same strength as professional dental ones, and some can even cause damage to your teeth if you don't follow the directions correctly.

If you're considering this route, you're better off just going to the dentist, especially if you have serious staining you need taken care of. You won't get as good results with at-home teeth whitening trays.

Are your teeth in bad shape? If they're not only discolored, but also misshapen or have large spaces, then you might want to consider veneers.

Veneers are very thin caps that go over your real teeth. They're either made of porcelain or plastic and are strongly bonded to your teeth to give the appearance of a more uniform smile.

An expert dentist will match the veneers to your actual teeth so no one will be the wiser; they'll never know you have veneers. And the great thing about them is they can restore a little bit of oral function.

For the best solution to stained teeth, your best bet is a full mouth smile makeover. This is where your dentist combines all of the previous options and customizes it, based on the current condition of your teeth.

So after a thorough examination, your dentist may suggest teeth cleaning, whitening, veneers, braces, and/or crowns. Because the particular treatment schedule will depend on what you need fixing, the price for a full mouth smile makeover can vary significantly, but the final results will leave you a smile to be proud of.

You may feel self-conscious about tooth discoloration, but the good news is, there are plenty of ways to fix it! From teeth cleanings and whitening to a full mouth smile makeover, there's definitely an optimal option for you to get rid of tooth discoloration.

If you want to start feeling confident about your smile again, make an appointment with us now and let Dr. Tabas transform your smile.