Healthy human teeth are ideally a pearlescent shade of off-white, but they can become discolored for a wide variety of reasons. Most cases of discoloration are yellow, but teeth can also take on a reddish, grayish, or purplish tinge, and they may even develop excessively white spots in some cases. Thankfully, it’s quite easy to prevent many forms of discoloration, and your dentist can help you achieve a whiter smile if your teeth are already stained. Here’s a guide to why your teeth can become discolored and how you can address the problem.