Tooth Whitening Gel

Face it, white teeth are attractive. A bright smile makes you smile. However, the converse is also true — stained teeth are unattractive. You make instant, negative presumptions about a person whose teeth are discolored. The good news is that stained teeth can be treated and whitened. Below are some factors contributing to stained teeth followed by at-home and in-office teeth whitening tips and advice for whiter teeth and a beautiful smile.

Food Debris – Floss, Brush, Rinse and Repeat

Food debris accumulates in your mouth and gets wedged between your teeth, under your gums, and under your tongue. Plaque traps debris. Floss and brush your teeth in the morning and after every meal. Flossing, brushing, and rinsing with water remove debris that causes discoloration and staining and reduces plaque build-up.

Teeth Grinding – Wear a Mouth Guard

Most people are unaware that they grind their teeth while sleeping. Teeth grinding (bruxism) flattens and erodes your teeth. This constant pressure causes your teeth to crack. Food debris trapped in these cracks causes staining and discoloration. Grinding can be prevented by wearing a mouth guard while sleeping. A mouth guard is a small plastic device that fits over your teeth and prevents the upper and lower teeth from coming into direct contact. Mouth guards can be purchased at local retail pharmacies; however, it best to see a dentist and get one that is made for you.

External Stains – Reduce Beverage Consumption

Over time, coffee, tea, and pigmented drinks such as wine stain your teeth. The heat from hot beverages can cause cracks to form in the teeth. Carbonated and sugared beverages can corrode tooth enamel and expose the underlying tissue, dentin, to staining. You don’t have to completely abstain from drinking, but cutting back can reduce staining. Using a drinking straw can also help prevent your teeth from becoming discolored.

External stains can also be treated using retail teeth whitening products and kits such as toothpastes, gels, bleaches, and whitening trays. Home remedies such as tooth paste mixtures containing, baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and fresh fruits are alternatives to off-the-shelf products.

Internal Stains – Consider Cosmetic Dental Procedures

Tetracyline is an antibiotic that targets bacterial infections and severe acne. If taken during pregnancy, tetracycline can cause gray, dark yellow stains or bands to form deep in the enamel and dentin tissues as the fetus develops. This internal discoloration must be treated with cosmetic dentistry. Cosmetic dental procedures such porcelain veneers cover teeth stains and enhance your appearance. See your dentist for recommended procedures.

So What’s the Best Solution?

Poor oral hygiene, diet, medication, and trauma can cause teeth to become discolored and stained. Regardless of these contributing factors, stained teeth can be treated and whitened using various at-home and in-office dental methods, retail products, or cosmetic dentistry. The best method will depend on the severity of the stains, what you can afford, how quickly you expect results.