Dental Conditions

Discolouration

What causes discolouration in teeth?

Teeth discolouration can often be unpleasant to have especially when they affect the way we feel about ourselves. There are a multitude of reasons for their presence, sometimes presenting with a combination of causes. Although complex at times, it can be easily reversed when we know the reasons that cause them.

Common reasons for teeth discolouration are:

Highly pigmented food and drink: like soy sauce, turmeric, tea or coffee can stain our teeth with their colour pigments.
Poor oral hygiene: encourages the growth of plaque. Usually it has a yellowish-brown tinge, but sometimes they can appear orange or even green! The pigments and debris from food will also stick on the teeth if they are not cleaned properly.
Trauma: it can take years before they can become greyish or pink. This is similar to how a bruise on our skin looks purplish blue.
Teeth wear: age, parafunctional (abnormal) movements or acid exposure can thin the tooth enamel. When this happens it is easier to see the dentine (tooth layer under enamel) which naturally has a more yellow colour.
Medication: tetracycline is a commonly used strong antibiotic that can cause grey, yellow lines when taken as a child.

Intrinsic

'From inside'

Discolouration within the tooth layers. They often require more patience and energy to remove. Most cases are food and drink stains but it can also be an indication of a more serious condition.

Types of Discolouration

Extrinsic

'From outside'

Stains that sit on the outer layer of the tooth. They are usually easy to remove with thorough cleaning at home or at the clinic. Pigmented foods, drinks consumed over a long time period or smoking are usually the culprit.

Our clinicians will make a thorough assessment of the discolouration before going forward with treatment. It is best to book in with one of our dental providers to know more about which options are suitable for your case

Our Colour Enhancing Services

For Extrinsic Stains

Our clinic uses fine polishing techniques that effectively remove stains from the outer layer of the tooth without causing damage to the enamel. These techniques can delay and even prevent the recurrence of new stains when done in conjunction with proper home oral hygiene that our clinicians will guide you through.

Home whitening products are now easily accessible with heaps of options available. Some of these products can be used to maintain the shade after using professional whitening services, but there are many that provide minimal to no benefit despite regular use. We can walk through the pros and cons of each product with you, and discuss their effectiveness.

For Intrinsic Stains

Our diverse range of options for enhancing the colour of your teeth can be used alone or in combination depending on your situation and preference.

Take Home Whitening Kit:

Our take home kits contain a milder whitening gel that is safe for use at home.

This is an ideal option for those who would like a more gradual change over time.

This is considered as one of the more conservative options as no tooth augmentation is required.

In Chair Whitening:

Using a more concentrated formula than our take home kits, this option only requires an hour to achieve a significant change in colour. This concentration is only available to qualified dental professionals and our clinicians will ensure that you can achieve safely achieve the best results. The formulation we use does not require a blue light to accomplish the same as those needing a light.

Whitening can often cause sensitivity. Our clinicians will alleviate any sensitivity experienced (if they occur) and ensure that you are comfortable during the entire appointment.

Multiple visits over a few months may be required for darker or more greyish colours.

This is also considered a more conservative option.

Individual Tooth Whitening:

Usually for teeth without a pulp (such as after root canal).

Multiple visits are usually required to lighten a significant amount.

Composite and Porcelain Veneers:

Often more longer lasting than whitening alone.

Can help with other concerns in appearance such as the tooth shape or alignment.

Some tooth augmentation will be required to achieve the best result.

When used together with whitening will produce a more consistent appearance.