Types of Teeth Stains: Brown, Black, & More Explained

Advanced Dentistry
Before and after comparison showing different types of teeth stains

by Malavi Sivakanesan • 19 March 2025 • 4 min read

Everyone wants to have a celebrity-like smile. This is one of the reasons why the popularity of cosmetic dental products, including teeth whiteners, has increased massively. In addition to this, dental issues such as stained teeth have also gone up in recent years. Yes, different reasons behind it that include poor oral hygiene, inappropriate dietary choices, bad lifestyles, and more. Do you know there are different types of teeth stains! Before you decide on the teeth whitening option, it is good to read this post to know the stain type and adequate solution for it. This is specifically needed when you want to dazzle with your bright smile.

So, let us get started!

What are the Different Types of Teeth Stains?

At different times or stages of your life, you can spot brown or black stains on teeth. They can have different reasons. Befo re that, you should know the types of these stains so that you can prevent your smile from being tarnished:

Intrinsic

Intrinsic dental stains generally start forming inside your tooth and gradually affect the entire dentin. Numerous reasons are there for intrinsic stains. Some of these include medications, health conditions, and sudden trauma or injury.

Luckily, you can reverse this condition by using teeth whitening solutions such as hydrogen peroxide. However, you are advised to seek professional help before trying any treatment at home, as a single mistake can make the condition even worse.

Extrinsic

In extrinsic teeth stains, your enamels (a hard layer located outside the tooth for extra protection) will be discoloured. Although enamel is quite hard and strong, everything you drink or eat affects it somehow. This means if you consume nicotine, berries, sticky foods, or red wines constantly, your tooth enamel will gradually absorb the colours of those foods and beverages, resulting in stains.

Similarly, if you consume lots of coffee in a day, you will notice stains on teeth from coffee after some time that will turn your white teeth into brown stained teeth. Interestingly, you can prevent these stains by wearing dental veneers after consulting your dentist.

Stains caused by growing age

Brown discoloration between teeth orstains between teeth can also be a result of growing age. Yes, when you get older, your body also changes. When the body is going through a change, how can you not include teeth? They will also change as they are a part of your body.

This colour changes because the enamel of your teeth gets thinner and dentin becomes darker with increasing age. Hence, your notice grey teeth stains or brown spots types of teeth stains. This is a situation that cannot be controlled, no matter how rigorously you follow an oral care routine.

How to Improve Black, Grey, and Brown Stained Teeth?

Although contacting your dentist is the best way to remove any stain from the teeth, you can also consider tooth discoloration treatment options to make the condition a little better.

  • You can use teeth whitening products at home. These include whitening toothpaste and hydrogen peroxide. Kindly consult with your dentist first, as some ingredients may also cause sensitivity.
  • You can try tooth-whitening trays and gels. In case teeth stains are due to improper oral care or plaque build-up, you should connect with your dentist for it.
  • To remove food stain teeth and smokers stains on teeth, you can try whitening strips or pens or wear dental veneers.
  • Air flow cleaning is offered if gums are also affected due to infection along with stained teeth.

To Wrap It Up!

Home remedies are not recommended or effective for any types of teeth stains. Hence, you must consult an expert or dentist to remove the stains through professional methods. Complete Smiles is the best dental clinic to receive teeth whitening and other relevant solutions for stained teeth.

Photo of Malavi Sivakanesan

Malavi Sivakanesan

Malavi Sivakanesan is the principal dentist and co-founder at Complete Smiles in Harrow, Greater London. She is responsible for establishing the Complete Smiles brand throughout the United Kingdom and Europe and has 5 successful practices under her strong leadership.