What type of stain is found on the surface of enamel and can be removed through scaling or polishing?

Extrinsic stains are surface stains that occur on the enamel due to various external factors such as food, beverages, and tobacco. They are typically the result of pigments from these substances adhering to the outer layer of the tooth's enamel. Because extrinsic stains are not imbedded within the tooth structure, they can be effectively removed through dental hygiene practices such as scaling or polishing.

In contrast, endogenous stains generally form within the tooth due to developmental issues or mineralization problems and cannot be removed simply by scaling or polishing. Intrinsic stains, which are often the result of factors like exposure to tetracycline during tooth development or trauma, are also embedded within the tooth structure and typically require more extensive cosmetic dentistry treatments to address. Exogenous stains can refer to both intrinsic and extrinsic upon more precise definitions, but in the context of dental terminology, extrinsic specifically refers to those removable stains on the enamel surface. Thus, identifying extrinsic stains emphasizes the effectively treatable nature of the discoloration.