Why are my teeth discolored and what can I do about it?

Let’s face it—discolored teeth can make you feel self-conscious, even if everything else about your smile is healthy. I get patients all the time who ask, "Why are my teeth so yellow?" or "Why don’t they look white no matter how much I brush?"

One thing to know right away: teeth naturally get darker as we age. Over time, your enamel thins and the yellowish dentin underneath starts to show more. That’s totally normal—and part of why whitening can make such a difference. Whiter teeth often help you look younger and more vibrant.

So let’s break it down—why teeth lose their brightness, and what you can actually do about it.

What Causes Teeth to Look Discolored?

There are two types of staining:

1. Extrinsic Stains (surface stains)

These come from outside your teeth—like:

Coffee, tea, wine, soda

Smoking or vaping

Certain foods (berries, curry, tomato sauce)

Not brushing well enough

These stains live on the surface of your enamel and can usually be improved with professional cleanings or whitening.

2. Intrinsic Stains (deep stains)

These are deeper and harder to fix. They can be caused by:

Aging (your enamel gets thinner, so the yellowish dentin underneath shows more)

Trauma or injury to the tooth

Certain medications like tetracycline

Excessive fluoride when teeth were developing

Root canals or internal damage

For these, surface treatments like whitening might not be enough.

What Are My Treatment Options?

1:Teeth Whitening (Bleaching)

If your stains are external or due to aging, professional teeth whitening can make a big difference. We offer safe, powerful options that go beyond what you’ll find in drugstores.

Whitening doesn’t just brighten your smile—it can take years off your appearance by giving you a fresher, younger look.

In-office whitening gives faster, stronger results, while take-home trays can be great for touch-ups or more gradual whitening.

But here’s the honest truth: whitening won’t fix all discoloration, especially not internal stains or teeth with damage or old restorations. Also—if you have crowns or fillings in the front, they won’t whiten with bleach.

2:Cosmetic Veneers

If your teeth are deeply stained, misshaped, or uneven, veneers are a beautiful, long-lasting option. These are thin porcelain covers bonded to the front of your teeth, giving you a whole new look.

Important to know:

To make veneers look natural and balanced, they usually need to be done in sets—often 4, 6, 8, or even 10 at a time. One or two veneers by themselves rarely blend well, especially in the front. It’s like painting one nail with a different polish—it sticks out.

3: Crowns

Which Option Is Right for You?

If you want to brighten up your smile and your teeth are generally healthy, whitening may be the perfect place to start.

If you’ve got deeper staining, uneven shapes, or want a dramatic makeover, veneers and crowns

might be your best option. Sometimes we even combine both—whiten the lower teeth and veneer the top ones.

We’ll always walk you through your options, costs, and what to expect before starting anything.

Final Thought

Discolored teeth are super common—and no, brushing harder isn’t the answer (in fact, that can make it worse). Whether you’re looking for a little refresh or a full smile makeover, we’ve got safe, beautiful solutions to help you feel confident again.

Remember, whiter teeth aren’t just about aesthetics—they can make you look younger and boost your confidence.

If your smile is bothering you, let’s talk. A consultation is the first step—and we’ll take it from there.

Ready for a brighter, younger-looking smile? At Laguna Hills Family Dentistry we can make it happen and Let us help you find the option that fits you.

Call Laguna Hills Family Dentistry to schedule your whitening consult or smile makeover discussion.