Don’t you feel self-conscious when you smile in group photos knowing you have stained teeth? Having whiter teeth will surely make you look more attractive in those selfies! Our teeth discolor because of two main reasons – staining and aging.
There are many ways you can prevent teeth staining – try to avoid coffee and red wine to start with. But be sure to stay away from smoking tobacco – if you smoke, it’ll definitely show on your teeth. Proper oral hygiene will keep the worst staining at bay and protect your tooth enamel, but if you add a whitening toothpaste and mouthwash, too, you’ll freshen up and brighten your teeth pretty fast.
As we age, however careful we are, our teeth will naturally some of its whiteness. This is because the dentine layer underneath the tooth enamel gradually darkens with age and this shows through the enamel.
Professional Teeth Whitening
Teeth stains can also penetrate into the upper layers of tooth enamel and will be difficult to remove if only treated with a whitening toothpaste or mouthwash alone. If you want to remove this type of stain, then going to your dentist for a professional teeth whitening treatment is the way to go.
Compared with other methods, professional teeth whitening it can brighten and lighten your teeth without the need to destroy healthy tooth surface. Without removing tooth surface, dentists are able to whiten teeth by applying a strong whitening gel that will penetrate the pores of the teeth enamel, bleaching it to a beautiful, natural white.
Dental Veneers
Teeth stains can also be treated by porcelain veneers. Dental veneers are thin tooth coverings that are cemented onto the damaged teeth. This treatment is ideal for broken teeth or slightly crooked teeth.
Teeth whitening and dental veneers are safe and effective in treatments for teeth discoloration or stains when administered by a dental professional. Over-the-counter bleaching agents are also available, but with varying results.
Whitening Toothpastes
Though some whitening toothpastes may help, this will not be able to remove intrinsic stains in your teeth. Regardless of what treatment you decide on, proper oral hygiene is needed and recommended to maintain the whiteness of your teeth.