Unsightly tooth stains can cause great embarrassment and keep people from smiling. So what causes tooth discoloration and how can you prevent it from happening to you?

The answer isn’t as simple as you think. No one’s teeth are perfectly white, and to some extent our teeth will become a bit duller as we age. But depending on your genetic makeup, everyone is born with a slightly different tooth shade, with some fairing better than others. Regardless, how you treat your teeth will greatly determine the outcome of their color.

The In’s and Out’s of Tooth Stains

Unfortunately, for those who suffer from teeth discoloration, teeth can appear yellow, brown or even grayish in color. Some may have overall discoloration while others have dark spots on their teeth. When trying to determine where tooth discoloration comes from, take into consideration there are two types of tooth stains: extrinsic and intrinsic.

Extrinsic stains are known as surface stains -- they are caused when outside elements affect the surface of the tooth. Intrinsic stains result when the interior sections of the tooth have darkened. Luckily, you can prevent many of these stains! Once you understand what causes tooth discoloration, you’ll be better equipped to handle fighting off some of its culprits. Here are several possible factors that lead to tooth discoloration:

Extrinsic Staining

Food and Drink -- Coffee, tea, soda and red wine can cause tooth stains when consumed over a long period of time. Berries, curries and soy sauce are just a few of the foods that stain teeth. Foods and drinks of extreme temperatures can also affect tooth color -- the heat and cold open and close the pores in your teeth, allowing staining agents to attack them with greater force.

Smoking -- Smoking can greatly discolor teeth. But chewing tobacco isn’t much safer -- any tobacco product will have devastating effects on teeth.

Oral Hygiene -- Generally speaking, poor oral hygiene will negatively affect your teeth’s health. Discoloration is just a minor side effect of inefficient dental care.

Intrinsic Staining

Drugs -- Antibiotics such as tetracycline can cause discoloration in children whose teeth are still forming. Other drugs, including antihistamines, antipsychotic and antihypertensive medications may also cause staining. Some mouthwashes may also leave behind teeth discoloration.

Fluorosis -- Fluoride is incredibly important in preventing tooth decay. But too much fluoride can lead to fluorosis, a condition that causes white spots or lines on the teeth. Fluorosis only affects children whose permanent teeth are still forming beneath the gum line. But don’t start limiting fluoride quite yet -- see a dentist to determine how much fluoride your child should be consuming.

Trauma -- Chipped or broken teeth can darken due to enamel damage or a dead nerve. This teeth discoloration is also possible if a tooth is not capped following major dental surgery, such as a root canal. If you have a single dark tooth, see a dentist to fix any underlying problems.

Cavities and Fillings -- Tooth decay is often evident in brown or black spots on teeth. On that note, large amalgam fillings can also cause outlying enamel to appear gray.

Genetics and Aging -- This falls under both categories. Some people are just born with tooth discoloration, and unfortunately most people’s teeth will not age gracefully. Everyday wear and tear will contribute to tooth discoloration over time.

Prevention and Treatment

Although some tooth discoloration is inevitable, there are ways to prevent it. Avoid consuming foods and drinks that contribute to teeth discoloration on a regular basis. Don’t smoke or chew tobacco, and practice excellent oral hygiene. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if any medications you’re taking result in tooth staining as a side effect. And have dental X-rays taken during your exams to check for any signs of trauma.

If you already have tooth discoloration and brushing doesn’t seem to work, there are ways to help you get rid of it. Thanks to cosmetic dentistry, there are several options for removing or covering tooth stains:

Ultrasonic Cleaning -- Now a standard form of professional cleaning, ultrasonic vibrations are used to remove some extrinsic stains caused by a buildup of calculus. Although it won’t change the color of your teeth, ultrasonic cleaning can be performed during regular dental visits to limit tooth stains.

Bleaching -- To completely lighten your teeth, you can try tooth whitening. Your dentist can provide you with bleaching trays to wear at home. These trays are formed from a mold of your teeth, and hold a gel containing the active agent peroxide. Worn daily, at-home bleaching trays can whiten teeth in 1-2 weeks.

Laser Whitening -- Like bleaching, laser whitening uses a peroxide gel to lighten teeth. But laser whitening is done in the dental office in about an hour. After the gel is applied to teeth, a laser uses heat to activate the whitening agents, with excellent results in a shorter amount of time.

Veneers -- In the cases where whitening just won’t work, veneers can completely cover tooth discoloration. Veneers are wafer-like tooth coverings often made of porcelain that are cemented onto teeth. Porcelain Veneers are also perfect for broken or slightly crooked teeth.

Despite some reported sensitivity, all of these procedures are safe and effective in treating teeth discoloration when administered by a dental professional. Over-the-counter bleaching agents are also available, with varied results. Some whitening toothpastes may help, but they will not be able to remove intrinsic stains. Regardless, you don’t want to spend all that money on fixing your teeth just to go back to bad habits -- proper oral hygiene is needed to maintain the results of your cosmetic dental procedure.

If you are unhappy with how your teeth look, contact a dentist. He or she will help you decide on the best treatment for tooth discoloration. In as little as an hour, you too will be able to show off your pearly whites!

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