Fix stained teeth

People’s teeth can become stained by a number of things. Regularly consuming dark-colored foods or beverages, including coffee and tea, can gradually stain the teeth. Certain medications may also cause discoloration or staining of the teeth, and staining can also result from trauma, genetics, or simply as a result of aging. Thankfully, there are many different techniques that dentists can use or recommend for home use to safely whiten the teeth and improve their appearance, no matter what the cause of the stains may be.

The simplest solution for stained teeth is a whitening toothpaste. Most toothpastes contain abrasive components that are designed to scrub off plaque as well as stains. Some specialized whitening toothpastes may also contain polishing agents or chemical compounds that focus more on stain removal. When used regularly, whitening toothpastes can help lighten the color of the teeth, though these whitening toothpastes may not work for everyone. Whitening strips are stronger than whitening toothpaste. Whitening strips, which are applied directly to the surfaces of the teeth once or twice a day and usually used over a two-week period, contain a peroxide-based bleaching solution that may help remove mild tooth stains. Whitening strips are available over the counter and may be available as pre-treated strips, or offered in the form of a gel that can be brushed onto the surfaces of the teeth. Over-the-counter bleaching trays, which also use a peroxide-based bleaching solution to whiten the teeth, may help improve mild or moderate dental staining. These bleaching trays hold the bleaching solution against the surface of the teeth for a prescribed amount of time daily, usually over a month-long treatment period. At-home bleaching trays are available over the counter, cost between $150 and $300, and can help people with relatively mild staining. Professional whitening treatments are more powerful than these over-the-counter options. Custom whitening trays provided by your dentist are more effective, in part because they are custom-designed to snugly fit your teeth and allow more prolonged, secure contact between the teeth and the whitening solution. Dentists can also perform in-office procedures that combine light and heat to intensify and accelerate the whitening process. Dental whitening can brighten teeth by anywhere from 3 to 8 shades over multiple office visits. Dentists also have access to rapid professional whitening techniques which can whiten the teeth more quickly than over-the-counter options.

While each of these whitening techniques can be effective when mild or moderate tooth staining is the result of an external cause, in cases of severe discoloration or staining caused by genetics or aging, more intensive treatment may be necessary. If teeth don’t respond to traditional whitening methods, your dentist may recommend porcelain veneers. Veneers are thin sheets of porcelain or tooth-colored composite resin that are bonded to the surfaces of the teeth, providing a whiter, natural-looking smile. Especially when the tissue inside the teeth has darkened, which may be the result of certain medications or of trauma, veneers can be the most effective solution. Generally, dental professionals don’t recommend any of the natural teeth whitening remedies that people have heard of, as these are generally ineffective and may also be harmful. If you seek a whiter smile, talk to your dentist about recommended over-the-counter or professional whitening treatments.

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