Did you know that around 35% of adults in Australia feel uncomfortable with the appearance of their teeth? Are your teeth more yellow than white? Don’t worry. We have four easy solutions for how to fix discolored teeth.
But first, let’s discuss why teeth change colour.
Teeth darken or discolor for many reasons. Some we have no control over, like getting older. As we age, our tooth enamel thins allowing the darker dentin layer below to shine through. Suffering an accident or trauma in our early years can also disturb the development of our tooth enamel. Your dentist will tell you if your teeth have discolored due to trauma, dental health, or lifestyle choices.
One of the leading causes of tooth discoloration is the food choices we make. Our love of colourful food like curry and spaghetti bolognese and drinks like coffee, red wine, and tea cause surface stains on the surface of the tooth enamel, making your teeth look yellow. Habits like smoking also cause tooth discoloration.
Unfortunately, we can’t undo all the times we’ve consumed foods or beverages that stain, but we can prevent tooth discoloration from getting worse by cutting back on the culprits that cause tooth staining.
If you’d like to know what your dentist would suggest if you asked them how to fix discolored teeth, carry on reading below.
3 Quick And Easy Ways To Fix Tooth Discoloration
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Get regular cleanings
It could be that your teeth are naturally white, but they’re hiding beneath a heavy film of plaque. Plaque is the sticky substance that accumulates on the surface of teeth, especially around the gumline. Daily brushing and flossing should rid your mouth of plaque, but if it builds up or you’re not brushing correctly, it can turn into tartar, causing tooth discolouration, gum disease, and cavities.
A clean and scale from your hygienist removes plaque and tartar, leaving your teeth clean and bright, without the need for teeth whitening. Most dentists recommend scheduling dental cleans at least twice a year.
Adopting a good oral routine at home will help prevent tooth discoloration and keep your smile happy and healthy.
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Professional teeth whitening
Have you tried commercial teeth whitening strips and found them too expensive or ineffective? That’s because there are better options for fixing tooth discolouration, like professional teeth whitening treatment from your local dentist.
The dentist will examine your teeth to check their suitability for teeth whitening and can adjust the strength of the teeth whitening formula if you have particularly sensitive teeth. If there are any signs of gum disease, this will need to be treated before teeth whitening.
Here at My Local Dentists, we use the Philips Zoom teeth whitening system because it’s proven and reliable to deliver outstanding results in less than 60 minutes. Teeth whitening products utilise hydrogen peroxide to bleach stain molecules giving the overall impression of a whiter, brighter smile. Only registered dentists can perform teeth whitening treatments, and that’s because of the high concentrations of bleach in the whitening gels.
How can I stop teeth discolouration after teeth whitening?
Following teeth whitening, patients should adopt a white diet for 48 hours after their procedure. Teeth whitening opens the pores of the teeth, making them more susceptible to staining.
A white diet helps reduce the chance of staining and may minimise any sensitivity you’re feeling in your gums. You can eat chicken or turkey, fish, pasta, potatoes, bread, and porridge.
While it may seem like a chore to avoid your favourite foods, it’s only 48 hours, and indeed, you want to protect your investment?
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Dental veneers
Teeth whitening isn’t always the best option. Some people are born with naturally dark teeth that don’t respond to teeth whitening. Others have extremely sensitive teeth that make it too painful to undergo the procedure.
How to fix discolored teeth with dental veneers?
Veneers are thin shells of composite or porcelain attached to the front of teeth to conceal issues like tooth discolouration, cracks, or chips. Since composite stains almost as quickly as natural teeth, it’s probably best to go for porcelain veneers. These are highly resistant to staining, meaning your new white smile will remain looking pristine for many years without the need for any form of teeth whitening treatment.
Addressing the root of tooth discoloration
Part of knowing how to fix discolored teeth is understanding what caused them to turn yellow in the first instance. Why not schedule an appointment with the experienced dentists at My Local Dentists. They can examine your teeth and discuss your best options for whitening.
References
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare – National Oral Health Plan 2015 – 2024
https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/dental-oral-health/national-oral-health-plan-2015-2024/contents/how-oral-disease-impacts-our-wellbeing/people-feeling-uncomfortable-with-appearance-of-mouth-and-teeth
Healthline.com – What Is Dental Plaque?
https://www.healthline.com/health/dental-and-oral-health/plaque
Health Direct – Teeth Whitening
https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/teeth-whitening
National Library of Medicine – Trauma in primary teeth and its effect on the development of permanent successors: a controlled study
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30345854/