Options for Cleaning Stained Teeth

Your dentist can assist with options for improving the appearance of mildly or severely stained teeth.

Having a bright, beautiful smile is important. Unfortunately, many of the foods and drinks we enjoy can interfere with this, making teeth look dark, old, and ugly. The good news is that with dedication at home and proper care from your dentist, you can enjoy your coffee, tea, red wine, dark soda, and cigarettes without giving up on a white smile. Learn about your main options for cleaning stained teeth here.

Better Oral Care

In most cases, staining is extrinsic, or deposited on the outer layer of the tooth. What happens is pigments from foods adhere to the microscopic pits and ridges on the surface of teeth. This causes an immediate discoloring effect, as well as an ongoing staining effect if the pigments are not removed promptly. Simply improving your oral care routine to remove pigments faster after indulging in a staining beverage can help limit staining. Whenever possible, brush your teeth after having coffee or a cigarette, or at least rinse your mouth out with water.

Whitening Toothpaste (surface stains and free radicals)

You can also add specific whitening products to your oral care routine to help clean stained teeth even more effectively. The most common is whitening toothpaste. Bear in mind that whitening toothpastes can work on two different levels depending on the ingredients. Some only fight surface stains by using a polishing agent to gently scrub away stains. Others, like baking soda toothpaste, can also help clean beneath the surface by releasing free radicals or other molecules that react with the stain molecules.

Routine Dental Cleanings

Keeping up with your routine dental cleanings is an excellent way to fight surface stains. Your dental hygienist uses a special toothpaste to help polish away stains. He or she will also pick away tartar from the gum line which would otherwise contribute to the look of yellow teeth.

Professional Teeth Whitening

Another option for cleaning stained teeth is to follow your routine dental cleaning with a professional teeth whitening treatment. These dentist-supervised treatments are more powerful, safer, and more comfortable than the over-the-counter treatments you can get for home use.

Veneers

Unfortunately, not all types of discoloration can be cleaned. This is especially true of age-related discoloration, which is not actually caused by stains at all. Instead, what has happened is that your enamel has thinned with age, allowing more of the color of the dentin to show through. Dentin naturally yellows with age and cannot be lightened. Other types of brown or gray “stains” that are actually caused by damage to the nerves or pulp of a tooth also cannot be cleaned away.

The good news is you have another option besides cleaning when it comes to dealing with these kinds of stains. You can have your unattractive, discolored teeth covered with porcelain veneers. At California Dental Group, we will work with you to select the right shape and color of veneers to provide a dazzling new smile that looks totally natural.