stained teethThese days you don’t have to put up with a smile that’s not bright and radiant. Teeth may have surface stains or intrinsic stains, which are below the tooth’s surface. Yellow, discoloured, stained teeth can be easily and safely whitened to restore your smile.

Causes of Stained Teeth

There are a number of factors which contribute to stained teeth.

  1. As you age, the enamel on your teeth gradually wears away from chewing and acids in certain foods and beverages. Most teeth begin to turn yellow as the enamel thins, and greyish stains can also appear from lasting food stains.
  2. Certain foods and drinks. A love of coffee, tea, red wine, cola and sports drinks, curries, tomato sauce and other acidic foods and beverages all stain your teeth over time, causing them to look yellow or discoloured.
  3. Poor oral hygiene.
  4. Nicotine leaves yellow or brown surface stains on your teeth.
  5. Some types of medications such as antibiotics (when teeth are developing in the gum), some forms of chemotherapy, asthma and blood pressure medication.
  6. Tooth colour can run in the family, so if one of your parents has yellow teeth you could too.
  7. Injury or trauma. An impact to a tooth or teeth can crack the enamel and damage the inside.
  8. Grinding your teeth. This habit can seriously wear your teeth down and cause the enamel to crack and yellow.

Treatment

The best treatment method for yellow teeth depends on whether the staining is surface or intrinsic.

For surface stains, professional teeth whitening can be done in-clinic or with an at-home kit. The products and processes are safe to use and your dentist or dental hygienist will ensure you get the best results. They will also ensure you don’t experience any increased sensitivity like some whitening products can do.

Although over-the-counter teeth whitening products are readily available, many contain ingredients which can damage the enamel on your teeth. Professional teeth whitening treatments and products are not only more effective at lightening stains, they actually strengthen the tooth.

Graying teeth as a result of a root canal may require a process called internal bleaching. This is where a whitening agent is applied to the inside of the tooth to effectively mask the discolouration.

If you have stained or yellowed teeth, please contact us for an assessment. We can discuss your options for achieving a bright, white smile.