Why are my teeth yellow even though I brush?

Brushing removes plaque but not all stain, and the natural color of teeth varies. Enamel also thins with age, letting the yellower layer underneath show through. A dentist can tell you how much is surface stain that a cleaning or whitening would improve.

Can brown spots on teeth be removed?

It depends on what they are. Surface stain and tartar are removed with a professional cleaning. Decay needs a filling. Marks within the enamel can sometimes be blended in with other treatments. An exam is needed to tell which you have, because they can look the same.

Why is one tooth darker than the others?

A single tooth that turns gray, brown or dark has often had its nerve damaged, sometimes by a knock years earlier. A large old filling can also darken a tooth. It should be examined, because a tooth with a dead nerve usually needs treatment even when it is painless.

Does whitening work on all stains?

No. Whitening works best on yellow surface stain. It does little for gray discoloration, tartar or decay, can make white spots more noticeable at first, and does not change the color of fillings, crowns or veneers.

Tooth stain guide · 6 kinds of discoloration · Free

What kind of tooth stain is it?

Pick the description closest to what you see. You get what it commonly is, whether whitening tends to help, and what a dentist would check.

Tool — What does the discoloration look like?

Pick the closest description.

Choose the closest match to see what to do, in order.

Common patterns only · Stain and decay can look the same · An exam tells them apart

Stain on the tooth or in the tooth

Why the kind of discoloration matters

Dentists divide discoloration into two groups. Stain on the surface comes from food, drink and tobacco, and it comes off with a professional cleaning or lightens with whitening. Discoloration inside the tooth comes from the way the enamel formed, from a nerve that has been damaged, from old fillings, or from decay, and whitening does little or nothing for it.

The difficulty is that the two can look alike. A brown groove may be harmless stain or the start of a cavity. A white patch may be a mark the tooth has always had or the first stage of decay. That is why whitening products tell you to see a dentist first, and why it is worth doing: whitening over decay or gum disease tends to hurt, and it will not change the color of fillings, crowns or veneers.

One pattern deserves special attention. A single tooth that slowly turns gray or dark has often lost its nerve, and that needs treating whether or not it hurts.

Table 1 — Keeping stain from coming back

Habits that make a difference

Rinse with water after coffee, tea or red wine	It clears pigment before it settles on the teeth.
Brush twice a day and clean between the teeth	Plaque holds stain; clean enamel picks up much less.
Keep regular cleanings	A hygienist removes the tartar and surface stain that brushing cannot.
Stopping tobacco	Tobacco is one of the heaviest sources of stain, and stopping helps the gums as well.
Go easy on abrasive products	Charcoal powders and hard scrubbing wear enamel, which makes teeth look yellower over time.

Common questions

Why are my teeth yellow even though I brush?: Brushing removes plaque but not all stain, and the natural color of teeth varies. Enamel also thins with age, letting the yellower layer underneath show through. A dentist can tell you how much is surface stain that a cleaning or whitening would improve.
Can brown spots on teeth be removed?: It depends on what they are. Surface stain and tartar are removed with a professional cleaning. Decay needs a filling. Marks within the enamel can sometimes be blended in with other treatments. An exam is needed to tell which you have, because they can look the same.
Why is one tooth darker than the others?: A single tooth that turns gray, brown or dark has often had its nerve damaged, sometimes by a knock years earlier. A large old filling can also darken a tooth. It should be examined, because a tooth with a dead nerve usually needs treatment even when it is painless.
Does whitening work on all stains?: No. Whitening works best on yellow surface stain. It does little for gray discoloration, tartar or decay, can make white spots more noticeable at first, and does not change the color of fillings, crowns or veneers.

General information · Not dental advice

The guide describes common patterns. It cannot tell stain from decay, and neither can a mirror; an exam can. We always recommend seeing a dentist. Nothing on this site can examine your mouth or tell you what is wrong. If something hurts, looks wrong, or worries you, book an exam, and go sooner if it is getting worse.

Emergency? If you have trouble breathing or swallowing, swelling that is spreading toward your eye or neck, a fever with facial swelling, or bleeding that will not stop, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room immediately. Full disclaimer

About this tool

This tool gives general, educational information only. It does not know your health history, has not examined you, and cannot diagnose anything or tell you what treatment you need. Use it to prepare for a conversation with your dentist, not to replace one.

Medical disclaimer

The information provided on Urgent Dental Helper is for general informational and educational purposes only. It is NOT intended to be a substitute for professional medical or dental advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Urgent Dental Helper is not a dental practice, and nothing here has examined your mouth. Always see a licensed dentist, physician, or other qualified health provider in person about any dental or medical condition. Never disregard professional advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read or any result you received on this website.