Achieving and maintaining a bright, glowing smile can be difficult, especially when your teeth aren’t all the same color. Multiple substances can stain your teeth differently. The staff at Stephanie ML Wong, DMD, in Honolulu, HI, advise that most stains are not only manageable, but also treatable by a dentist. Here, they explain common causes and solutions.

Why Are My Teeth Different Colors?

Your teeth naturally have slight variations in color, so no one is born with a perfect smile. Your front teeth tend to be whiter, and tooth shape can affect how its color looks. However, the issues most people deal with are stains caused by nicotine or coffee.

There are two types of stains: extrinsic, occurring on the outer layers, and intrinsic, occurring deeper in the dentin of your tooth. Extrinsic stains are responsible for wide discoloration, and causes include tobacco, coffee, wine, soft drinks, and certain foods. Intrinsic stains have a yellow tint from too much fluoride exposure or trauma. All of these factors collectively can cause each tooth to look different.

How Do I Remove Tooth Stains?

Most types of extrinsic stains can be resolved with brushing, flossing, and a professional teeth cleaning from your dentist. For intrinsic stains, you’ll need a more intensive treatment, such as an in-office teeth whitening session. For deeper stains, especially those related to trauma, bleaching agents may not be effective. In these cases, you should consider dental veneers or crowns, which will hide stains.

If you’re interested in exploring teeth whitening solutions, turn to the dentists at Stephanie ML Wong, DMD. Awarded Best Dentist by Honolulu Magazine, this dental office offers a variety of dental care services, including teeth whitening and Laser Bacterial Reduction, to help patients achieve and maintain their desired smile. Call (808) 732-3072 today to schedule an appointment, and visit their website to learn more about their services.