Do you feel self-conscious about yellow or stained teeth? You’re not alone. Many people struggle with tooth discoloration at some point in their lives. Dr. Rachel Barone provides professional treatments for discolored teeth at Gunbarrel Dental Center in Boulder, CO.
Whether your teeth are stained from food, drinks, smoking, or aging, we can help. Dr. Barone has options to treat your dental concerns and help you feel more confident.
Common Causes of Tooth Stains
Tooth discoloration can happen for many reasons. Some stains are on the surface of your teeth, while others come from deeper inside. Here are some of the most common causes:
Food and Drinks
Many of the foods and drinks we enjoy every day can cause staining on the surface of your teeth. Some contain dark pigments or acids that stick to tooth enamel and cause it to darken over time. Common culprits include:
- Coffee and tea
- Red wine
- Soda and brightly colored sports drinks
- Tomato-based sauces
- Berries, such as blueberries, blackberries, and cherries
The more often you eat or drink these items, the more likely they are to stain your teeth. One simple way to protect your smile is to brush your teeth after meals or rinse with water. Using a straw when drinking dark beverages can also help limit contact with your teeth.
Tobacco Use
Smoking cigarettes or using chewing tobacco can lead to yellow or brown stains on your teeth. Tobacco contains tar and nicotine that easily stick to enamel. These stains often go deep into the tooth and can be hard to remove with regular brushing.
In addition to staining your teeth, tobacco can also lead to gum disease, bad breath, and even tooth loss. Quitting tobacco is one of the best things you can do for both your oral and overall health.
Poor Oral Hygiene
If you don’t brush and floss every day, plaque and food particles can build up on your teeth. Over time, this buildup can lead to surface stains and a dull appearance. Without regular brushing, teeth can also become more vulnerable to decay and gum disease.
Brushing twice a day, flossing daily, and visiting your dentist for regular cleanings can go a long way toward keeping your teeth looking clean and white.
Aging
As you get older, your tooth enamel naturally wears down. Enamel is the hard, outer layer that protects your teeth and gives them their white color. Underneath the enamel is a layer called dentin, which has a more yellow tone.
When the enamel becomes thinner with age, the dentin underneath shows through more easily, making your teeth look darker or yellower—even if you take good care of them.
Medications
Some medications can cause tooth discoloration, especially if they’re taken while your teeth are still developing. Tetracycline antibiotics can cause gray or brown stains if taken by children during early tooth development. Some chemotherapy drugs, antihistamines, and blood pressure medications may also darken adult teeth over time. Talk to your doctor or dentist if you’re concerned about how a medication might affect your teeth.
Fluorosis
Fluoride helps prevent tooth decay, but too much of it during childhood can lead to fluorosis. This condition causes white spots, streaks, or even brown marks on the teeth.
Fluorosis usually happens when a child gets too much fluoride from toothpaste, drinking water, or supplements while their permanent teeth are still forming. In mild cases, the spots may be small and barely noticeable, but in more severe cases, they can affect the appearance of the teeth.
Injury or Trauma
If a tooth is hit hard or injured it can become discolored. An injury can damage the blood vessels or nerves inside the tooth, causing it to turn gray, brown, or even black.
In adults, trauma may cause internal bleeding in the tooth, which also leads to darkening. This discoloration often needs special treatment to restore the tooth’s appearance.
Discolored Teeth Treatment in Boulder, CO
We provide multiple treatments for stained teeth:
Quickpro Teeth Whitening
If you want fast and noticeable results, QuickPro teeth whitening might be the right choice for you. This in-office treatment uses a special whitening gel that brightens your teeth in just one visit.
Here’s how it works:
- Dr. Barone applies a whitening gel to the teeth.
- A protective sealant locks the gel in place.
- After about 30 minutes, the gel is wiped away, revealing a whiter smile.
QuickPro is great for removing surface stains caused by food, drinks, and tobacco. It’s safe, quick, and effective—perfect for patients who want a brighter smile before a big event or photo session. To maintain your results, we may also recommend take-home whitening trays so you can keep your smile bright between visits.
Teeth Bonding
Dental bonding is a simple and affordable option for fixing discolored teeth, especially when stains don’t respond to whitening. Teeth bonding uses a tooth-colored resin that we apply to the front of your teeth. Then we shape and polish it to match the rest of your smile.
Bonding can be a great choice if you have:
- Deep stains that whitening can’t fix
- Small chips or cracks in your teeth
- Uneven edges or gaps
- Discoloration caused by medication or injury
The bonding process is quick and done in just one visit. It’s also pain-free and doesn’t require removing much tooth enamel.
Porcelain Veneers
Veneers are a long-lasting solution for severe or stubborn tooth discoloration. Porcelain veneers are thin, custom-made shells that we bond to the front of your teeth. They look natural and can completely cover up stains to give you a bright and even smile.
Veneers can treat:
- Deep internal stains from medication
- Teeth that are naturally darker in color
- Discoloration caused by worn enamel or injury
How to Keep Your Teeth Bright
After your treatment, you want to take care of your smile to keep it looking great. Here are a few tips:
- Brush your teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste.
- Floss daily to remove plaque between your teeth.
- Limit dark-colored drinks like coffee, tea, and red wine.
- Rinse your mouth with water after meals and drinks.
- Avoid smoking or using tobacco products.
- Visit our office for regular checkups and cleanings.
Request an Appointment
Get treatment for discolored teeth in Boulder, CO. Call Gunbarrel Dental Center today at 720-881-0614. You can also request an appointment online.