

Tartar can range in color from yellow to brown, and it appears along the gum line. When you don’t remove plaque regularly, it can harden, turning into tartar. When left untreated, it’s a common cause of brown spots on teeth. This results in brown stains and cavities. If plaque isn’t brushed off teeth regularly, the acid breaks down tooth enamel.


When you eat foods containing sugar, bacteria produce acid. Bacteria-filled plaque is constantly forming on your teeth. When tooth enamel, the hard, outer layer of your teeth, starts to erode, tooth decay results. Tooth discolorations, including brown, gray, and yellow spots, can be caused by what you eat and drink, such as: Nicotine is found in tobacco products, such as: Tobacco is a common cause of surface stains on teeth. Brown spots, as well as other discolorations, have multiple causes.
