Fix stained teeth

Many things can cause a person’s teeth to become stained, including food and drinks, certain medications, injury, and just plain aging and genes. Dentists have a variety of methods at their disposal to help improve the appearance of stained teeth; each depends on the cause of staining and the extent. If you are unhappy about the color of your teeth, there is a good chance your dentist can safely and effectively help restore your smile to a more appealing appearance.

The most basic type of stain reducer is whitening toothpaste. Most toothpastes contain abrasives that help remove stains, but special whitening toothpastes also contain ingredients that are specially designed to polish and whiten the teeth. If used consistently, whitening toothpastes may be able to lighten the teeth by at least a few shades, though this may depend on the cause of staining and discoloration.

Teeth-whitening strips can also be an effective home treatment for stained teeth. Whitening strips are applied directly to the teeth daily over the recommended course of treatment, which is usually about two weeks. Whitening strips use a peroxide-based solution to reduce mild tooth staining and are available over the counter. In addition to strips, whitening solutions are available in gel form and can be brushed directly onto the surfaces of the teeth.

For more moderate tooth staining, bleaching trays can be helpful. These are plastic trays that contain a paste or gel with a peroxide base. The trays expose the teeth to whitening solution for a prescribed amount of time, each day, for a treatment period of about a month. Bleaching trays are available over the counter and usually cost anywhere from $150 to $300. While over-the-counter bleaching trays may provide satisfactory results for mild tooth stains, they are not as effective as professional dental whitening treatments. Your dentist can provide custom whitening trays for you to use at home; these are specifically designed to fit your teeth and are more effective than over-the-counter options.

In cases of moderate to severe staining, you may prefer in-office bleaching treatments. These treatments are more powerful than those used at home. Dental professionals can also use in-office equipment to accelerate or improve the tooth-bleaching process. Many dentists report that patients’ teeth whiten by anywhere from three to eight shades through in-office dental whitening treatments, depending on the number of office visits. Some dentists also offer rapid techniques to whiten the teeth, so talk to your dentist if the benefits of in-office whitening appeal to you.

In patients where the teeth are discolored due to aging or genetics, more substantial treatment may be recommended. If your teeth cannot be successfully whitened by traditional in-office treatments, your dentist may recommend porcelain veneers. Porcelain veneers are extremely thin sheets of tooth-colored porcelain or resin that are bonded directly to the surfaces of the teeth and that provide a natural-looking, white smile. Porcelain veneers may be recommended if the insides of the teeth have darkened due to medication or trauma.

You may hear or read about natural whitening treatments, but it is advisable to avoid these, as they are often ineffective and may even lead to damage. For example, treatments involving lemon, baking soda, or even strawberries have been shown to weaken the enamel on the surfaces of the teeth, potentially contributing to damage. For this reason, and based on the efficacy of each treatment, it is preferable to use a whitening treatment that has been approved by your dentist.

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