Fix Stained Teeth
Treating Stained Teeth
Several things can greatly increase teeth stains such as medications, trauma to the teeth, genetics, aging, and darkly pigmented beverages and foods. Depending on the extent and cause of staining however, dentists can treat and improve staining. If the color of your teeth is an issue for you here are some ways that teeth stains can be safely removed.
- Whitening Toothpaste: Most toothpaste does contain ingredients that are abrasive in order to help remove stains, but whitening toothpaste contains specific chemicals and polishing agents that makes them more effective and powerful. Depending on the cause and severity of the stains, whitening toothpaste, with regular daily use, can lighten teeth by at least a few shades.
- Whitening Strips: For less severe teeth stains, whitening strips, which contain bleaching products that are peroxide based, can be applied over the top and bottom teeth daily, usually for a period of two weeks. Available over-the-counter, whitening strips can reduce milder teeth stains.
- Bleaching Trays (At-Home): For moderate to mild teeth stains, at-home bleaching trays are plastic trays that are filled with bleaching gel or paste that is of a peroxide-base. The gel or paste is held against teeth with the use of the trays, and are usually used for a specific duration of time each day for the period of one month. Over-the-counter at-home bleaching trays can provided good results for people with milder teeth stains. Professional treatments, however, are more powerful. Dentists can customize whitening trays specifically for your mouth (and degree of staining) for use at home for some cases, and these produce more effective results than the over-the-counter variety, and also disallow any gel or paste leaking onto gums.
- Bleaching Trays (In-Office): In-Office Bleaching Trays are treatments that use a much stronger bleaching solution that what is used for at-home trays. Dentists and technicians often also use light and/or heat to intensify and speed-up the whitening. Often teeth can be lightened by as much as 3-8 shades, especially if the treatment is done over multiple dental visits. There are other whitening treatments that use ultraviolet light to enhance results. Consult with your dentist for the treatment best suited for you.
- Veneers: For severe staining of the teeth, which can be a result of aging and/or genetics, more intense treatments might be necessary. If the usual teeth-whitening treatments are not effective on teeth, a dentist might suggest using a porcelain veneer. For this treatment thin layers of porcelain (or resin that is tooth-colored) are bonded to the stained tooth (or teeth), and the result is a natural looking whiter smile. If medications, trauma or fluorosis have caused stinging veneers can be very effective.
Sometimes people might suggest natural tooth-whitening treatments and remedies, but these are often ineffective and sometimes cause further damage. Professionally recommended and/or custom treatments are highly recommended. Consult with your dentist to find the best whitening treatment for you.