How to Get Rid of Stains on Teeth

Staining or discolouration on teeth can make many people feel self-conscious about their smile. Fortunately, there are teeth whitening products that can help. Plus, many dentists offer professional in-office teeth whitening treatments.

Whitening strips, whitening toothpaste, brushing with baking soda, and a professional in-office teeth whitening treatment are all potential ways that you can get rid of teeth stains and discolouration. Your dentist can help you choose the options that are right for you.

It’s possible to get some dramatic results with teeth whitening, depending on the treatment used. But regular professional cleaning and diligence with your personal oral hygiene routine are still important keys to maintaining a bright, healthy smile.

Types of Tooth Staining

Not all stained and discoloured teeth are equal. There are 2 different primary types of staining that can affect our smiles.

Intrinsic Staining

Intrinsic stains are discolouration within the tooth’s structure, beneath the protective enamel layer. They can be a result of several things, like tooth trauma, medications, infection, or problems with a tooth’s development.

At-home treatments typically cannot get rid of these stains and your dentists may recommend alternatives to teeth whitening for addressing intrinsic stains, such as veneers. 

Extrinsic Staining

Extrinsic stains can be easier to deal with because they are stains in the enamel on the tooth’s surface. But they can also be caused by things we do daily, such as drinking coffee and tea or eating foods with dye. Poor oral hygiene can also result in stained and discoloured teeth. And smoking is also a significant cause of tooth stains.

What Causes Tooth Discolouration and Staining?

There isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer for the cause of tooth stains. As we see above, food and beverages or poor oral hygiene could cause staining. Or it could be something more out of our control, like age or an infection.

Common causes of tooth discolouration can include:

  • Dark-coloured food and beverages

  • Excessive fluoride use

  • Plaque buildup and poor oral hygiene

  • Tobacco use

  • Tooth trauma

  • Genetics

  • Age

  • Other medical conditions

  • Medications

Can Tooth Discolouration Be Prevented?

There are certainly some ways that you can prevent or minimize staining. You can avoid dark food and beverages, quit smoking, and practice diligence in your oral hygiene routine. But you can’t stop aging or change your genetics, and sometimes accidents happen. So, not every cause of tooth staining can be prevented or avoided.

At-Home Teeth Whitening

There are plenty of at-home whitening treatments and products you can try, but before trying any at-home whitening treatments, it’s important to speak with your dentist about their use and how they could affect your dental health.

Some of the at-home methods and products for teeth-whitening include:

  • Baking Soda: Mixing a bit of baking soda with water and brushing with the slurry it creates can be an effective whitening treatment over time because of the slight abrasiveness of baking soda.

  • Changing Your Diet: Eating a lot of crunchy fruit and vegetables can also help whiten your teeth. These crunchy foods can rub away plaque from your teeth before it has a chance to result in staining or discolouration—and they can also add essential vitamins and nutrients to your diet. You can also avoid stain-causing foods to help keep your teeth bright.

  • Whitening Products: There are various at-home teeth whitening products available, ranging from whitening toothpaste to strips to mouthwash. Many specify that you should discuss them with your dentist before trying them to ensure they’re right for you.

In-Office Teeth Whitening

There are various teeth whitening treatments that some dentists offer. These often contain a much higher concentration of hydrogen peroxide than an over-the-counter whitening toothpaste and your dentist may recommend other solutions based on your oral health.

3 common teeth whitening methods include:

  • A bleaching solution that is spread on your teeth (not your gums) and activated by a special light.

  • A custom-fit mouthguard that contains a whitening solution for you to use as recommended by your dentist.

  • A toothpaste mixed with a higher hydrogen peroxide solution for brushing your teeth based on your dentist’s recommendations.

Your dentist may also recommend a deep cleaning that includes scaling for getting rid of extrinsic stains, and they may help you reach your whitening results with a more abrasive toothpaste during the cleaning.

Discuss Your Teeth Whitening Options with Shine Dental

There isn’t a magic answer to whitening your teeth. For some people, it could be more difficult than others, depending on diet, lifestyle, and other factors—but there is often a solution that can help brighten your smile.

Contact us at Shine Dental if you’re interested in whiter teeth but don’t know where to start. Our team can answer your questions and book you in for a cleaning and exam to evaluate your teeth and determine how we can get them sparkling again.

Oral Health, Teeth WhiteningJonathan WiebeShine Dental