If your teeth are yellow and discoloured, you’ve probably been feverishly Googling ‘how to get rid of stains on teeth.’ It’s hardly surprising that everyone wants white teeth. Not only is a white smile pleasing on the eye, but it suggests that a person takes good care of their oral health. And, since your smile is the first thing people notice when you meet, why not make it the best it can be by trying out using dental veneers, teeth whitening and other dental treatments.
We want to make clear from the beginning that brown staining on teeth is perfectly normal. It occurs in everybody for various reasons, including inadequate brushing, foods and drinks we consume, and habits such as smoking.
What causes teeth to discolour? Extrinsic and Intrinsic staining explained
There are two categories of tooth staining – extrinsic and intrinsic. The former refers to external staining on the tooth’s surface, while the latter refers to deeper staining within the tooth itself.
It’s essential to identify what sort of staining you have on your teeth, what could have caused it, and how you can improve matters.
Let’s take a closer look at the two.
Extrinsic staining
Extrinsic staining affects the hard coating of tooth enamel that protects our teeth. When enamel discolours, it takes on a yellowish tinge. Because enamel is susceptible to staining, many people have yellowing teeth. Fortunately, this type of staining is not permanent and be removed easily with a professional clean from your dentist and cosmetic treatments such as teeth whitening.
It’s best to steer clear of home remedies as often; these products are abrasive – think whitening toothpaste – and can scratch the enamel’s surface, making it more susceptible to staining.
Extrinsic staining is the result of a person’s lifestyle and routine. People who enjoy a morning coffee, a glass of red wine with their meal, dark-coloured beverages and food, or smoke are more likely to suffer from stained enamel. Put it this way – if it can stain a white shirt, it can stain tooth enamel.
If you want to know how to get rid of stains on your teeth caused by extrinsic stains, then the answer is to give up the foods and drinks you enjoy. OK, so this isn’t really going to happen! Instead, an excellent daily brushing routine and bi-annual professional cleans from your dentist will help you to manage the colour of your teeth better.
Intrinsic staining
This type of tooth staining is significantly more challenging to remove as it affects the layer of dentin that sits beneath the tooth enamel. Certain medications and treatments involving chemotherapy or radiation around the head and neck area cause tooth discolouration. Age also plays a large part as enamel thins with old age, meaning the dentin is visible and the teeth appear darker.
So, now you’re more familiar with tooth discolouration and why stains occur, let’s take a look at how dentists can be of assistance.
How to get rid of stains on teeth – Dental treatments
Regular hygienist appointments
The best way to treat your teeth staining is to schedule regular dental and hygienist appointments. Visit your hygienist at least twice a year and your dentist once a year to keep your smile looking healthy and white. We promise it will be worth it!
Teeth whitening
If you want your teeth to appear whiter, you might want to book yourself for a professional teeth whitening treatment. With systems like Philips Zoom, you can achieve 4-6 shades whiter in under one hour. Of course, teeth whitening isn’t permanent and may last up to 18 months before needing a top-up.
That said, teeth whitening isn’t for everyone. Some teeth don’t respond well to bleaching, in which case, another option is dental veneers.
If you’re interested in getting a permanently white smile, then our final stain removing treatment could be right up your street – porcelain veneers.
How to get rid of stains on teeth with dental veneers?
For anyone not in the know, dental veneers are thin covers or shells that attach to the front surface of the teeth. If you have teeth that are:
- Badly stained
- Mildly misaligned
- Too big or too small
- Misshapen
- Uneven or worn
- Gapped
…dental veneers could be the ideal treatment for you.
The beauty of dental veneers as a treatment is their versatility. There is no need to have dental veneers on all of your teeth. If, for example, your smile is spoilt by a single badly-stained tooth, a single dental veneer can conceal this.
In addition, it doesn’t matter where in the mouth a tooth is stained. The locality is no barrier for dental veneers. Our experienced dentist, Dr Jack Yang, can place veneers into your smile like pieces of a jigsaw are slotted in to complete a picture.
And because dental veneers are skillfully shaped and shade-matched to the colour of the surrounding teeth, they fit seamlessly into the smile. No one will ever know your secret.
While composite and porcelain veneers achieve similar-looking results, composite veneers are a more budget-friendly option, although they are less durable than their porcelain counterparts.
Why opt for porcelain veneers?
In the hands of an experienced dentist like Dr Yang, porcelain veneers look just like natural teeth. Because porcelain acts like tooth enamel to reflect the light, porcelain veneers make your new smile sparkle.
Another reason to choose porcelain veneers is that porcelain is highly resistant to staining. If staining has always been an issue for you, then porcelain veneers provide the perfect solution.
Porcelain veneers are a permanent treatment. In most cases, our dentists remove tooth enamel to enable the veneers to fit flush in the smile. Because enamel is not living tissue, this means porcelain veneers are a lifelong choice.
Hopefully, this information has been helpful, and you now know how to get rid of stains on teeth.
If you are due a dental clean or are interested in knowing more about porcelain veneers or teeth whitening to get rid of tooth discolouration, then contact the friendly team at Beyond Infinity Dental on (02) 8806 3799. We’d love to hear from you.
