When we talk about teeth stains, we’re really talking about two types of stains - those that lie on the outside of our teeth and those that lie on the inside. And just as you would think, the stains that occur on the inside of our teeth are the hardest to remove.
The “inside stains” are caused first and foremost by age. The dentin that lives under the enamel of our teeth naturally turns more pale and yellow as we get older. And our enamel becomes thinner as well, revealing more of the dentin’s color.
Another effect of thinning enamel is that the substances we ingest that are your typical staining agents (e.g. coffee, cola, etc.) can seep deeper into our tooth structure and cause stains that are more resistant to brushing.
Since we can’t do anything about growing older, we have to step up our oral hygiene practices to keep ahead of stains on our teeth. More and better brushing, regular trips to the dentist, and maybe a professional or over-the-counter whitening treatment or two are called for to brighten our smiles. With a little concerted effort we can remove teeth stains and keep our smile white.