Teeth Discoloration and Stains

Your smile is the first thing that people notice. But unfortunately, over time, teeth can lose their natural shine and become stained or yellow.
At Suave Clinic in Turkey, we help patients from all over the world restore their confidence with personalized, professional tooth discoloration treatments.
In this guide, we will show you everything you need to know about types of tooth discoloration and staining, what causes them, how to treat them, and most importantly to prevent them and help you get your magnificent smile back.

Types of Teeth Discoloration and Stains

Tooth discoloration refers to the change in the colour or brightness of your teeth.
It appears in many forms of stains from white-yellow patches to black stains.
There are three types: 

1. Extrinsic tooth discoloration:
   Tooth discoloration at the surface level that easily removed by professional cleansing
2. Intrinsic tooth discoloration:
   Tooth discoloration is a result of a deeper color change in the tooth structure, and not easily removed from the tooth.
3. Age-related discoloration:
   That is why a proper diagnosis is the key to effective treatment.

Causes of Tooth Discoloration 

Extrinsic Stains (Surface-Level), The superficial stains:

They affect the outer enamel layer of the tooth and are usually yellow or brown in color, and are caused by:

• Drinking coffee, tea, wine, or soda
• Smoking or Tobacco usage
• Poor brushing habits
• Pigmented foods like blueberries

Intrinsic Stains (Deeper Discoloration)

Intrinsic stains can make the teeth appear grey, bluish, or deep yellow. Some patients may also suffer from grey stains on teeth near the gums due to internal changes in dentin.

This occurs inside the tooth, often due to:

• Fluorosis: Exposure to fluoride during childhood causes white or brown spots.
• Dead tooth: Injuries to a tooth cause internal bleeding, leading to a darker shade.
• Medications: Antibiotics like tetracycline or chemotherapy drugs can discolour teeth during the developmental stage.
• Genetics: Some people are born with thinner enamel or naturally darker dentin.
• Some health conditions, such as metabolic disorders and liver disease, can cause teeth discoloration.
• Root Canal Treatment: A treated tooth can gradually turn grey over time due to the expired pulp.
• Old Fillings: Amalgam restorations may cause grey or black staining, the so-called” Amalgam Tattoo”
• Bruxism: Grinding your teeth makes yellow dentin more visible by wearing down the enamel layer.

Age-Related Discoloration:

As we age, the enamel thins, and the naturally yellow dentin beneath it becomes more visible. Teeth also collect stains over time, especially if oral care is improper.

How Your Lifestyle Can Cause Teeth Discoloration

While brushing twice a day is essential, it doesn’t always prevent discolouration, especially if your lifestyle isn’t healthy. Let’s explore the main contributors to discoloured teeth.
Those everyday habits that we don’t even think about:

• Coffee, tea, red wine, and dark-colored sodas contain chromogens that stick to enamel, causing stains.
• Acidic foods like citrus fruits and juices (orange juice and lemon juice) erode enamel, making yellow dentin more visible.
• Cigarettes and tobacco leave long-lasting yellow and brown stains, making it appear like black teeth.
• Not drinking enough water during the day can let pigments settle on your teeth instead of being rinsed away.

Brushing Technique Matters

You might be brushing daily and asking yourself, “Why are my teeth yellow when I brush them every day?”

 But the question is, “Are you brushing correctly?” Plaque and food debris can stick around if brushing is ineffective, especially near the gum line, leading to yellow, brown or even black stains on teeth.

Tooth Discolouration & Vitamin Deficiency In Your Diet

Vitamin deficiencies can also lead to tooth colour changes. Low levels of vitamin D or calcium can weaken enamel, while a vitamin C deficiency increases your risk for gum disease and bleeding gums, which can lead to stains near the gums and dark edges on teeth. 

In some cases, teeth discoloration due to severe vitamin deficiency can cause sudden brown stains on teeth or completely discoloured teeth.

Diseases Cause Teeth Discolouration

Certain medical conditions like metabolic disorders, liver disease, and genetic enamel defects, stain teeth yellow. Chemotherapy and radiation treatments, especially in the head or neck area, may also darken teeth.

Medications and Dental Materials

Antibiotics like tetracycline or doxycycline can cause intrinsic grey or brown stains, especially if taken during childhood or pregnancy. 

Different Colors of Teeth Stains

• Yellow teeth: Often caused by ageing, enamel thinning, due to dentin exposure, or by food/drink staining.
• Brown stains: Usually due to poor hygiene or smoking.
• Grey teeth: Typically, a sign of internal trauma or deep internal staining.
• Black teeth or spots: Can result from decay or staining around old fillings or near the gums.
• White spots: Enamel demineralization and a sign of dental caries

Can Natural Remedies Remove Teeth Stains?

You have surely heard that salt, baking soda, or lemon juice can whiten teeth. Even natural remedies may help with surface stains, but they come with serious risks:

• Salt is abrasive and can scratch enamel, leading to more stains on the long run.
• Lemon juice is acidic and erodes enamel, which makes your teeth yellow over time.

Some people claim to know how to remove brown stains from teeth naturally, but without professional guidance, you may cause permanent enamel damage.

When to See a Dentist?!

If you notice:

• Sudden brown stains on teeth
• One tooth is turning grey or black
• Stains that don’t go away with brushing

Fortunately, some of these discolorations can be reversed depending on the cause; discoloration can be treated or significantly improved.

How to Get Your Teeth White Again? (Effective Treatment Options at Suave Clinic)

Discoloured teeth are treatable, and in many cases, you can enjoy long-lasting results, especially with proper care. At Suave Clinic, we don’t believe in one-size-fits-all. Your treatment is fully customized based on the cause and type of discolouration you have.

 Here are some of the treatments that may suit you:

Professional Teeth Cleansing and Polishing

Professional dental cleaning, or what is called Scaling, removes plaque and tartar, and polishes stains away, giving you an instant cleaner, brighter smile.

Teeth Whitening – In‑Office Bleaching, Laser Treatments

Teeth whitening is the most popular choice for removing yellow stains and brown patches. Our advanced in-office laser whitening system delivers safe, immediate results up to 2-3 shades lighter in just one visit.

At‑Home Kits & Strips

Over-the-counter (OTC) whitening strips can be safe and effective. But be cautious, as some people experience gum irritation or tooth sensitivity. Always choose ADA-approved products and ask your dentist which ones are safe for your case.

Internal Bleaching

If a single tooth turns grey after a root canal treatment or a discoloration happens after trauma, internal whitening may be the solution. A whitening agent is placed inside the tooth, gradually restoring its color from the inside out. For discolored teeth after trauma or root canal treatment, we apply a whitening agent inside the tooth.

Cosmetic Restorations – Bonding, Veneers, Crowns for Severe Intrinsic Staining

For deeply discolored teeth, especially those with grey or black stains on teeth, cosmetic dentistry may be the most effective choice. Dental Veneers and crowns can permanently mask these discolorations and give you the desired smile.

Cleaning and Polishing

Sometimes, regular cleaning and polishing can sweep away surface stains and restore the teeth’s brightness.

Prevention: How to Keep Your Smile White

Here are the things you can do at home to prevent future teeth discolouration and to make your whitening results last longer (your daily routine,) as we all know that how long the results of removing stains last depends on your care:

• Quit smoking to prevent stains and improve not only oral health but also your general health.
• Stay hydrated, water helps rinse away pigments and bacteria that cause them.
• Use whitening products approved by your dentist or with ADA approval.
• Brush twice a day using the correct method and floss daily to remove plaque between your teeth.
• Change your toothbrush every 3 months.
• Use a straw for drinking acidic or colored beverages
• Limit taking staining foods and beverages.
• See your dentist for regular checkups and professional cleaning every 6 months.

Get Suave Clinic’s Teeth Whitening Package at Best Prices

At Suave Clinic, we believe your smile deserves expert care. That is why we offer premium teeth whitening packages designed for our international patients seeking affordable, comfortable, and professional results in one of Turkey’s top dental clinics.

Here is what you will get:

• Expert consultation and customized treatment plan
• All laser whitening or cosmetic options
• Safe materials and skilled hands
• Support for travel, lodging, and dental tourism services
  

A bright, confident smile can change everything. If your teeth are stained, yellow, or discolored—even if you brush them every day, it is time to explore real solutions.

Why Choose Suave Clinic in Turkey?

We understand that visiting a dental clinic abroad is a big decision. That is why we have created a trusted experience for our international patients:

• World-class dentists with experience in dealing with complex cases
• Advanced technology and aesthetic techniques
• Multilingual support starting from consultation to recovery
• Affordable packages with accommodation and transport
• Beautiful Istanbul, a location for combining dental care with a magnificent location

Book your online consultation today and let us help you smile wide again.