A winning smile can open professional doors and make us more attractive to people in general. This is why it’s so important to have a bright smile. But sometimes our smile isn’t something we want people to see. For some people, hiding their smile has to do with the fact that their teeth are stained or discoloured. Coloured residue in foods and drinks builds up over time staining teeth, but there are effective ways to fix teeth that are discoloured.
Teeth Whitening
At Home
There are many options for those looking to whiten their teeth, and they range from relatively cheap to expensive. Whitening strips, gels, trays, and other products can be bought over the counter or obtained from a dentist. Teeth whitening is ideal for people who have healthy teeth with no fillings. And people with yellow-toned teeth see the best results.
If you decide to whiten at home, the American Dental Association suggests that you talk to your dentist first if you have:
- Sensitive teeth
- Dental restorations
- Very dark stains or a single dark tooth
- Lots of fillings or crowns
In-Office
On the more expensive side of the spectrum is professional whitening. Professional whitening is the quickest and most effective method of brightening your smile. In an office setting, whitening products are applied directly to the teeth in combination with heat, a special light, or a laser.
Dental Veneers
Dental veneers are another great option for covering stained teeth, with several fake teeth options to choose from. A veneer is basically a covering for teeth. There are traditional veneers that are fused to existing teeth and temporary veneers that snap into place. You may want to keep in mind that applying traditional veneers typically involves grinding down the tooth structure to apply the veneer. It’s an irreversible procedure that often requires a local anaesthetic.
In addition to being significantly less expensive, one advantage of temporary veneers is that they give you an idea about how you might look with traditional veneers.
Don’t Smoke
Most of us understand smoking cigarettes can lead to health problems such as cancer, heart disease, and stroke. But cigarettes can also cause teeth to become yellow and stained. Your teeth have pores just like your skin. The nicotine and tar in tobacco absorb into those pores and cause yellow or even brown stains. Often, smokers will have certain teeth that are darker than others from how they inhale.
Tobacco stains on teeth are difficult to remove due to years of smoking. The stains have settled deep into your tooth enamel, penetrating the outer layer of the dentin.
Get Regular Cleanings
No one enjoys going to the dentist. But regular cleanings work wonders in brightening teeth. In fact, your teeth may be a lighter shade of white under all the plaque buildup, if it’s been a while since you’ve seen a dentist. Plaque is the substance that collects on your teeth as a result of eating and drinking.
Normally, regular brushing and flossing rid teeth of bacteria, but if these aren’t done correctly buildup occurs. We should be brushing our teeth at least twice a day and flossing once a day.
Reduce Consumption of Staining Foods (and Drinks)
Certain foods and beverages we consume can wreak havoc on the appearance of our teeth. And although it’s impossible to turn back the clock and not consume those things, it is possible to give consideration to what we eat and drink going forward.
Black coffee is notorious for staining teeth. And the issue isn’t so much with the dark colour but its high acidity. The acidity hurts your enamel, which allows the colour to stain your teeth. Red wine is another culprit. If you’re going to drink it, make sure you rinse with water afterwards.
Wrapping Things Up
A bright smile gives us advantages in our professional and personal lives, but yellow, discoloured teeth can be unattractive, preventing us from smiling. Fortunately, there are a number of ways for people to brighten their smiles, including using dental veneers, having teeth whitened, and reducing the intake of certain foods and drinks. A nice smile is something anyone can achieve if the right steps are taken.
