I need help with discoloured teeth

What can I do if my teeth are yellow or stained?

Discoloured teeth can make you feel self-conscious and embarrassed, but you don’t need to put up with a dull smile.

How do I know if I have discoloured teeth?

If you have a couple of teeth that are a different colour to the rest, or there are discoloured areas on all your teeth, it’s pretty easy to notice in the mirror. If your teeth have become evenly discoloured over time, you may not notice the gradual change until you compare them with a friend's or family member’s teeth. Either way, once you’ve noticed it, you might feel self-conscious about your appearance.

Why do I have discoloured teeth?

There are three kinds of staining that can change the colour of your teeth. Extrinsic discolouration is caused by things like coffee, tea, smoking, and red wine leaving stains on the outside of your teeth. Intrinsic discolouration occurs from the inside, when the dentine in your tooth yellows from medications, injury, tooth decay, or the overuse of fluoride. Age-related discolouration is a combination of extrinsic and intrinsic staining, as teeth naturally yellow over the years and the enamel gets thinner.

What treatments are available for discoloured teeth?

Our long-lasting, effective whitening treatments will bring back your sparkle.

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Teeth whitening
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We’ll make your smile sparkle again

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Zoom! WhiteSpeed
Zoom! WhiteSpeed

Get teeth up to eight shades whiter in just 45 minutes

Are you self-conscious about stained, yellowing teeth? We can make them sparkle again in less than an hour.

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An attractive woman smiles confidently, showing her healthy and strong teeth after a visit to dentist, Dr Dave Richards, of Natural Smile Dental St Heliers, Auckland.
The luxurious, clean, quality Natural Smile Dental clinic in St Heliers, Auckland provides dental and cosmetic services using advanced technology for a stress-free dentist visit.

Common questions about discoloured teeth

  • Although their appearance may cause you concern or embarrassment, the good news is that discoloured teeth are rarely a sign of anything serious. They are most often caused by poor oral hygiene, the kinds of food and drink you consume, and smoking. If one tooth suddenly changes colour, it might indicate a dental injury.

  • You can help to keep your teeth white by practicing good oral hygiene – brushing twice a day, flossing daily, and visiting your dentist for regular check-ups and cleans. It will also help to smoke less and minimise your consumption of tea, coffee, and red wine, all of which contain tannin, a staining compound.

  • The best way to treat discoloured teeth is by getting them professionally whitened. Our tooth-whitening treatments are more effective, safer, and longer-lasting than at-home solutions. Done properly, professional tooth whitening can last as long as five years.

  • You can get whitening toothpaste and strips at the supermarket, but these may only be minimally effective. Over-the-counter bleaching kits can damage the enamel of your teeth if they are not used correctly. It’s best to ask your dentist if you are a suitable candidate for tooth whitening and get a professional treatment that is more effective and lasts much longer.

  • The cost of whitening your teeth will vary depending on how stained they are, and which treatment is most appropriate for the kind of staining you have. Book an appointment to discuss your discoloured teeth and we’ll let you know how much your treatment is likely to cost.

  • It’s impossible to eliminate the risk of breaking or chipping a tooth. Accidents happen, and sometimes breaks will occur from something as innocuous as eating your lunch. But you can minimise your risk by wearing a mouthguard to play sport, avoiding extra hard foods, and practising good dental hygiene to keep your teeth strong and healthy.