Why are my teeth turning brown near the gums?
Emily Sparks
Published Jan 19, 2026
Tartar buildup is most common between teeth and along your gum line. The tartar itself is porous and is highly susceptible to discoloration and staining. Foods, beverages, and other factors can turn it a noticeable brown color as a result.
How do I get rid of the brown on my gum line?
Treatment
- Brush the teeth with a mixture of baking soda and water every few days.
- Rinse the mouth with a diluted hydrogen peroxide solution every day or every few days. Always rinse the mouth with water afterward.
How do you fix brown teeth?
How to Fix Discolored Teeth
- Professional Teeth Whitening. Professional teeth whitening is much preferred over over the counter whitening products. ...
- Porcelain Veneers. ...
- Dental Bonding. ...
- Cosmetic Dentistry in Laurel, Maryland.
Can brown teeth be whitened?
You may be glad to know that brown teeth can be whitened for a whiter, brighter smile! The brown color on your teeth may be very subtle or quite noticeable. Discoloration may vary from a yellowish-brown hue to dark brown.
Are brown stains on teeth permanent?
Staining of the enamel is not permanent and can be easily reversed with treatments through professional stain removal and tooth whitening. Steer away from home remedies. Often these products are abrasive and can scratch the enamel making them more susceptible to staining - such as whitening toothpastes.
27 related questions foundCan you reverse brown tooth decay?
But as of yet, it's physically impossible. Once a tooth has a physical cavity (opening or hole) inside of it, there is no feasible way to help the enamel grow back on your own. Instead, the cavity will gradually worsen, due to the bacterial infection inside of the tooth structure.
Why is my front tooth Brown?
As we age, our teeth often yellow. However, teeth turning orange and brown in color are often a sign that the nerve in the tooth has died. This often happens after a tooth has be bumped or hit and it may happen very soon after the accident or may take years.
What causes brown teeth in adults?
Bacteria-filled plaque is constantly forming on your teeth. When you eat foods containing sugar, bacteria produce acid. If plaque isn't brushed off teeth regularly, the acid breaks down tooth enamel. This results in brown stains and cavities.
How do I stop my teeth from being discolored?
Do try:
- Brush your teeth for two minutes, first when you wake up and again before bed.
- Pick the right paste to be safe. ...
- Floss between your teeth daily.
- Limit food and drinks that stain teeth, such as cola, coffee, tea and red wine.
- Keep a clean reusable straw handy to sip liquids and prevent staining your front teeth.
Why are my teeth staining all of a sudden?
Intrinsic staining is the result of structural changes to dental hard tissues during tooth development and is associated with certain metabolic diseases or systemic medications. Tetracyclines (TCNs) can cause intrinsic staining when ingested by children eight years of age or younger due to pediatric odontogenesis.
Can tooth discoloration be reversed?
If the tooth discoloration is not severe, you may be able to reverse it just through the lifestyle changes explored earlier. If the tooth discoloration is severe, your options include: Veneers and bondings. Over-the-counter whitening agents.
Why are my two front teeth turning brown?
Tooth decay
When layers of enamel start to get worn away by the bacteria that is present in the mouth, it can form cavities. The resulting decay can end up turning a brownish colour. These will show up as spots of brown in and around the front and back of the teeth.
What does decay look like on teeth?
If the process of tooth decay is allowed to continue, enamel will break down further. You may notice that a white spot on a tooth darkens to a brownish color. As enamel is weakened, small holes in your teeth called cavities, or dental caries, can form. Cavities will need to be filled by your dentist.
When is it too late to save your teeth?
People can go weeks, months, and even years without taking care of their teeth but that doesn't mean that it is too late to start. Although neglecting your teeth for long periods can cause irreparable damage, this doesn't mean that all hope is lost.
Can Listerine reverse tooth decay?
Did you know, if found early enough, you can sometimes reverse certain tooth decay by brushing twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste, and rinsing with a fluoride-containing mouthwash such as LISTERINE ULTRACLEAN® ENAMEL PROTECTION or LISTERINE TOTAL CARE® ? This repeated practice can help re-mineralize tooth enamel.
How can I rebuild my enamel naturally?
Remineralizing Enamel Before It's Lost
- Brush twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste such as Crest Gum & Enamel Repair.
- Brush for the dentist-recommended two minutes.
- Try brushing in between meals when possible.
- Floss at least once a day.
- Rinse with a fluoride-infused, remineralizing mouthwash.
How long does it take teeth to rot?
What are the types of cavities? Tooth decay can affect all layers of a tooth. It can take three years for a cavity to form in the strong outer layer of tooth enamel. Decay progresses more quickly through the dentin (middle layer) to pulp (innermost layer).
Can decaying teeth make you sick?
Poisoning in the bloodstream
Although not an immediate consequence, dentists strongly advise that letting rotten teeth go unattended can lead to blood poisoning. This happens because the rot from the teeth keeps getting deposited into the mouth, and in most cases, it's swallowed along with saliva.
Can rotten teeth make you sick?
Can a bad tooth make you sick? The short answer is yes, eventually. Poor oral health allows bacteria to build up in your mouth and potentially cause infections. An infection in the tooth is called an abscess, and if left untreated, it can have serious consequences.
Can a hygienist remove brown stains?
Your hygienist will professionally clean your teeth, removing all traces of plaque, giving your teeth a brighter appearance. Teeth whitening is a popular cosmetic dental treatment that removes stains and gives your smile a boost.
Does baking soda whiten teeth?
Baking soda is good for teeth whitening because it is a very mild abrasive, which helps remove stains from the surface of your teeth. In addition, baking soda is alkaline and salty, which helps lighten acid-based food stains – such as those from coffee, tea, and red wine – on teeth.
Is plaque Brown?
Dental plaque is a soft, sticky film that builds up on your teeth. It's a colorless to pale yellow biofilm that develops on your teeth when food, fluids, and saliva combine to create bacterial deposits that produce acids when fueled by your dietary sugars.
Does mouthwash cause brown stains?
Like all mouthwashes that effectively fight plaque and gingivitis, Crest Pro-Health Rinse can contribute to temporary, surface-level brown tooth discoloration, which is reported by a small percentage of individuals.
Does Listerine turn teeth brown?
Sadly, some mouthwashes may actually contribute to tooth staining and detract from the overall appearance of your smile. Mouthwashes that contain chlorhexidine gluconate (CG) are often marketed for the treatment of gum disease.
Which toothpaste is best for tartar?
Sensodyne is the #1 dentist recommended brand for sensitive teeth. Sensodyne Tartar Control toothpaste for sensitive teeth works deep inside the tooth to soothe painful tooth sensitivity* and helps keep that pain from coming back while also fighting tartar build-up.