Are unsightly teeth stains making you lose confidence in your smile? Unwanted tooth stains can be frustrating. They make you not want to smile, literally. No one wants stained teeth, but it’s a reality for many of us as we age. Foods, drinks, and even some mouthwashes can all lead to discolouration.
This article will discuss various types of teeth staining and ten effective ways to remove stains from your teeth.
What are the different types of teeth staining?
Tooth discolouration can be classified into three primary categories: age-related, intrinsic, and extrinsic.
Age-related. Over time, the enamel on your teeth starts to thin and break down. This deterioration often causes your smile to take on a yellow appearance. In many cases, both intrinsic and extrinsic factors can lead to age-related discolouration.
Intrinsic. Intrinsic stains are located within the tooth, making them more difficult to remove than superficial ones. They often appear grey in colour. Some common examples of intrinsic stains include genetics, excessive fluoride, tooth decay, injury or trauma to a tooth, and certain medicines.
Extrinsic. Stains that build up on the enamel, the outermost covering of your teeth, usually cause extrinsic tooth discolouration. Things that commonly cause extrinsic stains are tobacco products, certain drinks, and foods.
How to remove stains from teeth?
The following tips will help you get your bright smile back in no time.
1. Good oral hygiene
Brush your teeth more regularly and correctly. You should ensure to brush after every meal, particularly if the food could lead to yellowing teeth. However, you must be cautious when brushing your teeth after consuming acidic beverages or foods. If you brush immediately, the acids will strip away more enamel and cause erosion.
Brush your teeth two times daily for two minutes each time. Ensure that you reach all of the crevices and cracks. To keep your gums safe, gently circularly wipe your teeth. Be sure to brush your teeth thoroughly by brushing each tooth’s outside and inside and on the chewing surface. An electric toothbrush may also do a good job of removing surface stains.
2. Regular dental cleanings
A dental tooth cleaning is a professional procedure where a dentist uses either hand tools or an electronic device called an ultrasonic scaler to remove calculus, stains, and plaque that have built up above your gum line. A prophylaxis paste is used to polish your teeth once they are clean. We advise that you have your teeth cleaned every six months for optimal dental hygiene, but if you have significant dental problems, more visits to our dental clinic may be necessary.
Your teeth become stronger and more resilient after receiving professional cleaning from our dentist, which also helps prevent gum disease and tooth decay.
3. Oil pulling
Oil pulling is a cleaning method that removes debris, bacteria, and dirt from the mouth. Although it cannot replace traditional flossing and brushing, research indicates that rinsing the mouth with specific oils might help whiten teeth. To try this method, rinse your mouth with oil for approximately 20 minutes. Sesame, sunflower, and coconut oil can be used for oil pulling.
4. Whitening strips, gels, and toothpaste
Whitening gels are peroxide-based gels applied directly to your teeth with a small brush. Instructions for usage will differ depending on the gel’s strength. Make sure to follow the directions on the product closely. You’ll see initial results within a few days; the final results last approximately four months. You can purchase whitening gels and strips from a dentist or your pharmacy.
All kinds of toothpaste have mild abrasives that allow them to remove surface stains. Some brands of whitening toothpaste also include gentle chemical agents to help with stain removal.
Whitening toothpaste can only erase surface stains; if you want to lighten the colour of your teeth, use whitening products that contain hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. Whitening toothpaste might lighten teeth by one shade. If you want to make a noticeable change in the colour of your teeth, professional strength whitening from our dentist can lighten them by three to eight shades.
5. Baking soda
Because of its chemical makeup, baking soda, also called sodium bicarbonate, is a great mild abrasive. Its ability to remove surface stains and give teeth a whiter appearance is due to the same characteristic. Add a few drops of water to half a teaspoon of baking soda and stir to create a thick liquid, which is the baking soda paste. Using your toothbrush or finger, apply the paste to your teeth. Then, wait two to three minutes. Spit it out and rinse thoroughly with water.
However, baking soda will not work well if you want to remove deeper or older stains. You’ll need to use a product for whitening teeth or see our dentist.
6. Hydrogen peroxide
Alternatively, you can brush your teeth twice a day for a week for one to two minutes at a time using a paste made of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. This should only be done every once in a while, though. Hydrogen peroxide can cause tooth sensitivity, so it’s not a good choice for patients with sensitive teeth or long-term use.
7. Fruits
The enzymes bromelain (found in pineapples) and papain (found in papayas) may help achieve whiter teeth. According to a 2020 study, tooth-bleaching gels containing papain or bromelain are effective in whitening teeth. The malic acid in strawberries has bleaching properties, which may help lighten stained teeth. It can also increase saliva production in patients with trouble producing sufficient saliva. Saliva prevents tooth decay by removing food particles and debris that would otherwise cause plaque build-up.
Simply eating these foods won’t change your teeth’s colour. It’s still essential to practice good dental hygiene and restrict tooth-staining foods.
8. A better diet
Teeth can become stained by consuming certain beverages and foods that contain tannins, such as tea or wine. Juices, dark sodas or coffee can also lead to staining.
Avoid consuming these types of drinks and food to prevent this from happening. Acidic foods can potentially erode tooth enamel, giving teeth a yellow appearance. Excessive consumption of citrus, soda, and coffee can stain your teeth. To avoid this, brush your teeth after consuming them. We suggest waiting at least half an hour after eating before brushing your teeth.
Acids can weaken the enamel and can cause damage if you brush immediately.
Quitting tobacco products or smoking can not only decrease the risk of nicotine stains, but it also assists in safeguarding against tooth decay and gum disease – both of which can damage your tooth enamel.
9. Activated charcoal
Activated charcoal is created from burning wood without oxygen. Be careful not to use too much at once. While activated charcoal excels at eliminating tooth stains, using it too often can make your teeth more vulnerable to staining in the future. Try not to use it more than once or twice a week so you don’t permanently wear away your enamel.
10. Professional teeth whitening
Professional teeth whitening is much more effective than at-home methods because it removes surface and internal stains. It might even get rid of tough stains caused by smoking, age, or certain medicines. At our dental practice, we offer chair-side teeth whitening treatment. It is a simple cosmetic treatment that can give patients brighter, healthier smiles in an hour or less.
Our dental practice uses Philips Zoom, a trusted and effective teeth whitening system. In addition, our dentist uses laser light activation to improve the bleaching gel’s efficacy.
Eliminate teeth stains and achieve a brighter smile at My Local Dentists
At My Local Dentists, we provide a comprehensive teeth whitening experience that will leave your smile looking its best. We have experienced dentists who can provide teeth whitening services that will help your smile look beautiful and natural. We care for your dental health!
If you want your smile to look extra nice, contact us at (02) 8318 5966 or schedule a consultation.
We are located at Shop 20A Northbridge Plaza, 79-113 Sailors Bay Road in Northbridge.
References
Home remedies to get rid of yellow teeth
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321172
Establishing the Effect of Brushing and a Day’s Diet on Tooth Tissue Loss in Vitro
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5806935/
Novel in-office peroxide-free tooth-whitening gels: bleaching effectiveness, enamel surface alterations, and cell viability
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-66733-z
Oil pulling for maintaining oral hygiene – A review
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2225411016300281#sec5