Dental emergency? Here’s what to do and who to call
Dentist Disaster

Colour & appearance

Stained or discoloured teeth

Routine4 treatment options

Teeth darken with age, tea, coffee, red wine and smoking. What professional cleaning, whitening and other options can - and can't - do.

How urgent is it? Routine

Not urgent. Book a routine appointment; see a dentist sooner if a single tooth has darkened after an injury or is painful.

What it is

Teeth naturally darken as we get older, and surface stains build up from drinks such as tea, coffee and red wine and from smoking. Some staining sits on the surface and can be polished away; other discolouration is within the tooth itself.

In the UK, tooth whitening is a dental treatment. It must only be carried out by a registered dentist, or by a dental hygienist, dental therapist or clinical dental technician working to a dentist's prescription. Whitening in beauty salons is illegal, and over-the-counter products are limited to such a low strength that they make little noticeable difference to tooth colour.

Whitening only lightens natural teeth - it will not change the colour of crowns, veneers, fillings, dentures or implants. A single tooth that darkens, particularly after a knock, should always be checked by a dentist - colour change is one of the recognised complications after a tooth injury, alongside damage to the nerve.

Signs and causes

Common signs

  • Yellow or brown surface staining that builds up over time
  • Overall darkening of the teeth with age
  • One tooth noticeably darker than the others
  • Fillings or crowns that no longer match the surrounding teeth

Usual causes

  • Getting older
  • Tea, coffee and red wine
  • Smoking
  • Thinning enamel from erosion, letting the yellower dentine show through
  • Injury to a tooth damaging its nerve
  • Developmental or disease processes affecting how a tooth formed

Ways to fix it

The options a dentist may discuss with you, and when each one tends to be used. Which one suits you depends on an examination.

  1. Scale and polish

    Surface stains from tea, coffee, red wine or smoking that a hygienist can polish away.

    Sometimes on the NHSPreventive

  2. Teeth whitening

    Healthy natural teeth that have darkened overall, for adults (not under 18) after a dental examination.

    Usually private onlyCosmetic

  3. Veneers

    Front teeth with discolouration that does not respond to whitening, accepting that some enamel is usually removed.

    Sometimes on the NHSCosmetic

  4. Crowns

    Discoloured teeth that are also heavily filled or damaged and need strengthening.

    Available on the NHSRestorative

What you can do now

  • Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste
  • Be wary of online or high-street whitening kits: legally they can contain only up to 0.1% hydrogen peroxide, which is too weak to change tooth colour noticeably

Preventing it

  • Cut down on tea, coffee and red wine
  • Stop smoking
  • Attend hygienist appointments as recommended

Common questions

Is teeth whitening available on the NHS?

No. The NHS says whitening is not available on the NHS, so you have to pay privately at a dental practice.

Can I get my teeth whitened at a beauty salon?

No. The General Dental Council says only registered dentists, or hygienists, therapists or clinical dental technicians working to a dentist's prescription, can legally provide tooth whitening. You can check a practitioner on the GDC register.

How long does whitening last?

It is not permanent. The NHS says the effect may last around 3 years if you follow your dentist's advice; smoking, tea, coffee and red wine can bring staining back sooner.

Will whitening work on my crowns or fillings?

No. Whitening only lightens natural teeth, so existing crowns, veneers, fillings and dentures will stay the same colour.

Products that may help at home

These support good daily care; they don’t replace treatment from a dentist. Some links may be affiliate links.

Sources we used

Checked September 2026. Guidance changes, so always follow the advice of your own dental team. About our sources.