How To Remove Stains from Teeth: Your Questions Answered

If you’re like many people, you enjoy a cup or two (or maybe more) of coffee, tea, or other dark-colored beverages every day. Unfortunately, drinking those beverages can cause teeth stains. If that’s happened to you, you aren’t alone. According to the American Association of Orthodontics, 90% of patients asked for teeth whitening. The good news is that your dentist can help you restore your pearly whites. Better yet, you won’t have to give up your favorite drinks!

The cosmetic dentists at Penn Dental Family Practice offer several treatment options to remove stains from teeth and leave you with a bright, white, and healthy smile. And, with a few simple changes to your daily routine, you can maintain the results.

Teeth Stains? Why You Don’t Have To Give Up Your Favorite Drinks

Of course, the best way to prevent discolored teeth is to stop drinking staining beverages, but then you’ll lose out on the health benefits these beverages can provide!

Drinking tea is quite good for you and your dental health. Researchers have found that black tea combats two types of bacteria associated with tooth decay and gum disease. Green tea does the same and also has a compound that can help you get rid of bad breath.

Researchers have also found evidence that coffee can be beneficial to oral health when it’s consumed without extra added sugar. Drinking coffee daily can help prevent cavities and support gum health. One study shows that drinking coffee every day could help slow the progression of periodontitis (gum disease). Consuming tea and coffee also offers other health benefits, including protection against certain types of cancer and heart disease. And the antioxidants in red wine are believed to be good for your heart. But all of these benefits come with the side effects of teeth stains.

How To Remove Stains From Teeth

When you have tooth stains, using an over-the-counter whitening product from the drugstore can remove some of the discoloration. However, at-home whitening products are less strong than the ones your dentist uses. That said, if your teeth are healthy and the staining isn’t too deep, you might see some improvement with whitening strips or other home treatments.

For more noticeable and longer-lasting results, professional whitening treatment is the best way to remove stains from teeth. Having your teeth whitened in the dentist’s office is also more effective than home whitening if you have badly stained teeth or tooth and gum sensitivity.

Dentists have multiple solutions depending on the condition of your teeth and your desired results. One in-office procedure uses a custom-made tray and a bleaching solution. The dentist places the tray over your teeth and sometimes uses light or heat to speed up the procedure. Other patients receive take-home whitening kits, including a bleaching solution and detailed instructions.

In most cases, in-office procedures work more quickly and with less irritation than take-home kits. Either way, you can expect dazzling results without showing signs of your daily coffee or tea habit.

Luckily, just a few simple changes can prevent deep stains and tooth discoloration, so you can continue enjoying these timeless treats.

How To Prevent Teeth Staining

You can take steps to ensure that your teeth stay white even when drinking your coffee, tea, or other dark beverages:

• Rinse your mouth with water after drinking tea, coffee, wine, or soda.
• Add some milk or cream. Lightening your drink can reduce staining, and the compounds in milk products neutralize acids that can harm tooth enamel.
• Brush and floss daily to remove plaque, a major cause of tooth discoloration.
• Brush your teeth with baking soda. It won’t bleach your teeth, but it can remove surface stains. Using a paste of baking soda and salt twice a week can improve tooth whiteness over the long run.
• Get a quality toothbrush. An electric toothbrush is more effective than a manual one for cleaning off plaque and tartar.
• Use a straw when drinking cold beverages that could stain your teeth, like iced tea or cola.
• Learn about foods you can eat that naturally whiten teeth!

Where To Find Teeth Whitening in Philadelphia

The dental professionals at Penn Dental Family Practice offer an array of whitening solutions to remove stains from teeth, no matter how deep your discoloration may be. Learn more about your options and request an appointment here. You can also download our free eBook on teeth whitening for answers to all of your questions.

Get ready to flash a bright, whiter smile soon!