My Teeth Are Stained. What Can I Do?

Whether it's from tea, coffee, wine, aging, poor oral habits, or some other reason, teeth discoloration happens. Here are a few ways you can whiten your stained teeth:

1. Professional teeth whitening

This is a simple, non-invasive dental treatment used to change the color of natural tooth enamel, and is an ideal way to enhance the beauty of your smile.

2. Over-the-counter products

Several over-the-counter options are also available, but they are much less effective than professional treatments and may not be approved by the American Dental Association.

3. Avoid or minimize products that contribute to stained teeth Smoking, drinking coffee, tea, and wine may also contribute to tooth discoloration, making our teeth yellow and dull. Sometimes, teeth can become discolored from taking certain medications as a child, such as tetracycline. Excessive fluoridation during tooth development can also cause teeth to become discolored. When possible, avoid these products and if it's not possible to avoid, minimize use of them.

4. Talk to a professional about bleaching

It’s important to have your teeth evaluated by your dentist to determine if you’re a good candidate for bleaching. Occasionally, tetracycline and fluorosis stains are difficult to bleach and your dentist may offer other options, such as veneers or crowns to cover up such stains. Since teeth whitening only works on natural tooth enamel, it is also important to evaluate replacement of any old fillings, crowns and more before bleaching begins. Once the bleaching is done, your dentist can match the new restorations to the shade of the newly whitened teeth. Since teeth whitening is not permanent, a touch-up may be needed every several years to keep your smile looking bright.