Want Brighter, Whiter Teeth?
Have
your pearly whites lost their luster because of dingy gray or yellow
stains? Stained teeth can occur as we age, but some common foods,
drinks, and even mouthwashes can stain teeth. Do-it-yourself remedies
can help whiten teeth, and avoiding substances that stain teeth can stop
further discoloration. Use these secrets to whiter teeth to restore
your bright smile.
Do-It-Yourself Teeth Whitening
You
may be able to get rid of superficial stains by yourself. A number of
at-home tooth-whitening products -- kits, strips, toothpastes, and
rinses-- may lighten stains. There are even some old-fashioned remedies
you can try. Tooth-whitening products available on drugstore shelves use
mild bleach to brighten yellow teeth. Toothpastes use abrasives and
chemicals to remove surface stains. For deep stains, you may need a
dentist's help.
Tooth-Whitening Kits
A
home tooth-whitening kit contains carbamide peroxide, a bleach that can
remove both deep and surface stains and actually changes your natural
tooth color. If you have coffee-stained teeth, a tooth-bleaching kit can
help. With some kits, you apply a peroxide-based gel (with a small
brush) to the surface of your teeth. In other kits, the gel is in a tray
that molds to the teeth. The tray must be worn daily (for 30 to 45
minutes) for a week or more.
Home Whitening Strips
Tooth-whitening
strips will help get rid of tooth stains. These strips are very thin,
virtually invisible, and are coated with a peroxide-based whitening gel.
You wear them a few minutes daily for a week or more. Results are
visible in just a few days, and last at least a year. The results with
strips are not as dramatic as with whitening kits, but the strips are
easy to use and pretty much foolproof.
Whitening Toothpastes and Rinses
How
to get stains off your teeth? Over-the-counter toothpastes, gels, and
rinses help remove some surface stains. Many of these products contain
mild abrasives, chemicals, or polishing agents. Unlike bleaches, they
don't change the natural color of teeth.
Home Remedies for Whiter Teeth
Some
people still prefer the age-old home remedy of baking soda and a
toothbrush to gently whiten teeth at home. Also, some foods such as
celery, apples, pears, and carrots trigger lots of saliva, which helps
wash away food debris on your teeth. Chewing sugarless gum is a
tooth-cleansing action and also triggers saliva. A bonus from all that
saliva: It neutralizes the acid that causes tooth decay. With teeth,
more saliva is better all around.
Tooth Whitening and Dental Work
Approach
tooth whitening with caution if you have lots of dental veneers,
bonding, fillings, crowns, and bridges. Bleach will not lighten these
manufactured teeth -- meaning they will stand out among your newly
whitened natural teeth. In order to match your whiter teeth, you may
need to investigate new dental work, including veneers or bonding.
Preventing Teeth Stains
As
we age, the outer layer of tooth enamel wears away. The underlying
layer, called dentin, is yellower. That's why it's important to try to
avoid staining teeth in the first place, especially after whitening. If
you take care with foods and drinks that discolor teeth, the results of
whitening may last up to one year. Whitening teeth too often could make
them look translucent and blue, so you'll want to maintain your new
smile.
To Keep Teeth White, Don't Light Up
Not
only is it bad for your health, smoking is one of the worst offenders
when it comes to staining teeth. Tobacco causes brown stains that
penetrate the grooves and pits of tooth enamel. Tobacco stains can be
hard to remove by brushing alone. The longer you smoke, the more
entrenched the stains become. Smoking also causes bad breath and
gingivitis (gum disease), and increases the risk of most types of
cancer.
Foods that Cause Teeth Stains
There's
another reason to watch what you eat. Some common foods can discolor
teeth. Here's an easy way to tell if a food might be at fault: Anything
that can stain a white cotton T-shirt can stain teeth, say dentists.
Coffee stains teeth, for example. Other top offenders are beverages such
as tea, dark sodas, and fruit juices. These teeth stains develop slowly
and become more noticeable as we age.
Think As You Drink
They
may be packed with disease-fighting antioxidants, but a glass of red
wine, cranberry juice, or grape juice also stains teeth easily. That
doesn't mean you should give them up, but remember to rinse your mouth
after you drink. These aren't the only teeth-staining foods to be aware
of.
More Foods That Stain Teeth
The
deep color of these fruits and veggies gives them their nutritional
punch. But blueberries, blackberries, and beets leave their color on
teeth as well. Eat up for your health, and prevent tooth stains by:
- Brushing teeth immediately after eating.
- Rinsing your mouth with water.
Sports Drinks Tough on Teeth?
While all sweetened drinks are bad for teeth, some energy and sports drinks may be worse, according to one study in
General Dentistry.
Researchers found that these drinks -- as well as bottled lemonade --
may erode tooth enamel after long-term use. The result is thin,
translucent, discolored teeth. To prevent tooth erosion:
- Don't sit and sip these drinks for a long time.
- Rinse your mouth with water when you finish drinking
Medications That Can Stain Teeth
The
antibiotic tetracycline causes gray teeth in children whose teeth are
still developing. Antibacterial mouthwashes that contain chlorhexidine
or cetylpyridinium chloride can also stain teeth. Some antihistamines,
antipsychotic drugs, and blood pressure medications cause tooth stains,
as can iron and excess fluoride. If bleaching doesn't help, ask your
dentist about dental bonding, in which a tooth-colored material is
applied to teeth.
Don't Forget Daily Maintenance
One
simple strategy can help maintain white teeth: brush. Brush at least
twice daily. Even better, brush after every meal and snack. Brushing
helps prevent stains and yellow teeth, especially at the gum line. Both
electric and sonic toothbrushes may be superior to traditional
toothbrushes in removing plaque and surface stains on teeth. Also, don't
forget to floss and use an antiseptic mouthwash daily.
Open Wide and Say 'Whiter Teeth!'
See
your dentist for regular checkups and professional cleaning. The
abrasion and polishing methods dentists use can remove many teeth stains
caused by food and tobacco.
You
may be able to get rid of superficial stains by yourself. A number of
at-home tooth-whitening products -- kits, strips, toothpastes, and
rinses-- may lighten stains. There are even some old-fashioned remedies
you can try. Tooth-whitening products available on drugstore shelves use
mild bleach to brighten yellow teeth. Toothpastes use abrasives and
chemicals to remove surface stains. For deep stains, you may need a
dentist's help.
A
home tooth-whitening kit contains carbamide peroxide, a bleach that can
remove both deep and surface stains and actually changes your natural
tooth color. If you have coffee-stained teeth, a tooth-bleaching kit can
help. With some kits, you apply a peroxide-based gel (with a small
brush) to the surface of your teeth. In other kits, the gel is in a tray
that molds to the teeth. The tray must be worn daily (for 30 to 45
minutes) for a week or more.
Tooth-whitening
strips will help get rid of tooth stains. These strips are very thin,
virtually invisible, and are coated with a peroxide-based whitening gel.
You wear them a few minutes daily for a week or more. Results are
visible in just a few days, and last at least a year. The results with
strips are not as dramatic as with whitening kits, but the strips are
easy to use and pretty much foolproof.
How
to get stains off your teeth? Over-the-counter toothpastes, gels, and
rinses help remove some surface stains. Many of these products contain
mild abrasives, chemicals, or polishing agents. Unlike bleaches, they
don't change the natural color of teeth.
Not
only is it bad for your health, smoking is one of the worst offenders
when it comes to staining teeth. Tobacco causes brown stains that
penetrate the grooves and pits of tooth enamel. Tobacco stains can be
hard to remove by brushing alone. The longer you smoke, the more
entrenched the stains become. Smoking also causes bad breath and
gingivitis (gum disease), and increases the risk of most types of
cancer.
There's
another reason to watch what you eat. Some common foods can discolor
teeth. Here's an easy way to tell if a food might be at fault: Anything
that can stain a white cotton T-shirt can stain teeth, say dentists.
Coffee stains teeth, for example. Other top offenders are beverages such
as tea, dark sodas, and fruit juices. These teeth stains develop slowly
and become more noticeable as we age.
They
may be packed with disease-fighting antioxidants, but a glass of red
wine, cranberry juice, or grape juice also stains teeth easily. That
doesn't mean you should give them up, but remember to rinse your mouth
after you drink. These aren't the only teeth-staining foods to be aware
of.
The
deep color of these fruits and veggies gives them their nutritional
punch. But blueberries, blackberries, and beets leave their color on
teeth as well. Eat up for your health, and prevent tooth stains by:
While all sweetened drinks are bad for teeth, some energy and sports drinks may be worse, according to one study in General Dentistry.
Researchers found that these drinks -- as well as bottled lemonade --
may erode tooth enamel after long-term use. The result is thin,
translucent, discolored teeth. To prevent tooth erosion:
The
antibiotic tetracycline causes gray teeth in children whose teeth are
still developing. Antibacterial mouthwashes that contain chlorhexidine
or cetylpyridinium chloride can also stain teeth. Some antihistamines,
antipsychotic drugs, and blood pressure medications cause tooth stains,
as can iron and excess fluoride. If bleaching doesn't help, ask your
dentist about dental bonding, in which a tooth-colored material is
applied to teeth. 
One
simple strategy can help maintain white teeth: brush. Brush at least
twice daily. Even better, brush after every meal and snack. Brushing
helps prevent stains and yellow teeth, especially at the gum line. Both
electric and sonic toothbrushes may be superior to traditional
toothbrushes in removing plaque and surface stains on teeth. Also, don't
forget to floss and use an antiseptic mouthwash daily.
See
your dentist for regular checkups and professional cleaning. The
abrasion and polishing methods dentists use can remove many teeth stains
caused by food and tobacco.
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