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7 things that can discolor your teeth

Learn how making certain lifestyle adjustments can help brighten your smile.

Updated on January 8, 2025

woman looking in the bathroom mirror at her teeth
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The causes of tooth discoloration may surprise you. Your diet, lifestyle choices, and even your mouthwash can stain your smile. The bright side? There are a variety of ways to remove stains and whiten your teeth, including inexpensive, at-home remedies. Here's what to know.

berries
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Dark-colored foods and drinks

Richly colored fruits like berries or fermented grapes (red wine) can discolor your teeth. Soy sauce is another common cause, and tea and coffee can each leave their marks

Why it happens: The natural pigments that give these foods their rich hues cause the stains. For fruits, it can happen whetherShow More

woman drinking red wine
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Acidic foods and drinks

Acidic foods and beverages include soft drinks, sports drinks, carbonated drinks, citrus fruits (like grapefruits or oranges), and citrus fruit juices. Sour candies are also culprits. White wine is quite acidic, as well. 

Why it happens: Drinks or foods that are very acidic can weaken enamel,Show More

senior woman smiling in the mirror in the dental office after a whitening treatment
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Getting older

Wrinkles and graying hair aren’t the only visible signs of aging for many people. Your teeth change over time as you grow older. What you eat can contribute to these changes.

Why it happens: The dentin, or inner part of the teeth, is naturally yellow. After years of an acidic diet, your toothShow More

woman brushing teeth in mirror, holding her toothbrush at a 45 degree angle
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Poor brushing technique

If you don’t take care of your teeth, you may develop cavities, gum disease, bad breath—and discolored teeth.

Why it happens: The way you brush matters. When you don't do it properly, you may not reach certain places in your mouth consistently. This can contribute to staining.

How to protect yourShow More

woman using mouthwash rinsing her mouth over the bathroom sink
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Using certain mouthwashes

Though you gargle with of the best intentions, you may be contributing to discoloration. Ingredients like chlorhexidine gluconate, found in some mouth rinses, can stain teeth.

Why it happens: Mouthwashes with chlorhexidine gluconate are typically prescribed to treat gingivitis, a common cause ofShow More

medicine in palm of hand
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Taking certain medications

Antihistamines, drugs prescribed to treat high blood pressure, certain antibiotics, and some cancer treatments can cause tooth discoloration. According to a 2023 analysis published in Frontiers in Pharmacology, 25 different medications can interfere with your pearly whites.

Why it happens: Show More

woman outside smoking
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You Use Tobacco

Add another to the long list of reasons why smoking is bad for your health: It can cause teeth to become brown. Chewing tobacco has the same effect on color as smoking.

Why it happens: Nicotine and tar stain your teeth and tongue. It’s not more complicated than that.

How to protect your teeth: Show More

Slideshow sources open slideshow sources

Cleveland Clinic. Tooth Discoloration. Page last reviewed May 24, 2024.
Cindy Zhou. When and how often should you brush your teeth? Mayo Clinic. Page last updated July 27, 2023.
Patti Zielinski. How to Prevent “Wine Teeth” This Holiday. Rutgers Health. Page last updated December 6, 2023.
Cleveland Clinic. Dental Plaque. Page last reviewed May 10, 2023.
American Dental Association (ADA). Erosion: What You Eat and Drink Can Impact Teeth. Page accessed November 11, 2024.
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR). Oral Hygiene. Page accessed November 11, 2024.
American Dental Association (ADA). Brushing Your Teeth. Page accessed November 11, 2024.
Mayo Clinic. Chlorhexidine (oral route). Page last updated February 1, 2024.
Wang J, Zou D, et al. Drug-induced tooth discoloration: An analysis of the US food and drug administration adverse event reporting system. Front Pharmacol. 2023;14:1161728. Published 2023 Apr 13.
American Dental Association. Toothbrushes. Accessed January 8, 2024.
American Dental Association (ADA). Smoking. Page accessed November 11, 2024.

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