Whiter teeth make for a more confident smile, but few people have white teeth naturally. That’s because, over the years, the foods we eat and the drinks we drink tend to stain our teeth, giving them a yellow or brown tint. How do you remove stains from teeth? There are several ways to do it, but some ways are definitely better than others.
Endicott Dental offers teeth whitening as part of its Cosmetic Dentistry services. We provide professional, exceptional whitening that is safer and faster than using home kits. Let us show you how to remove teeth stains in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma!
How Did I Get Brown Stains on My Teeth?
To understand how teeth whitening works, you need to understand how you got brown stains between your teeth or brown spots on your teeth in the first place. Several factors can be involved, but the most common way is simply by what we eat and drink.
Your teeth are made up of three layers — the enamel, the dentin, and the pulp. The enamel is the hard outer shell that protects the dentin, where your nerves are, and the pulp, where the blood supply keeps the tooth alive. Tooth stains sink into the enamel, but they can go as far as the dentin underneath.
What stains your teeth? Dark-colored foods such as certain fruits (berries), tomato-based sauces, chocolate, beets, and dark-colored candies can stain teeth over time. Drinks can do it as well, including coffee, tea, red wine, and dark-colored fruit juices. Even sodas can stain your teeth over the years!
What Causes Brown Stains Between Teeth?
Other factors can cause brown spots on teeth or brown spots between your teeth, such as tobacco use or tooth decay. Cavities left untreated can discolor the tooth as the area rots. In rare cases, genetics or side effects from certain medications can cause teeth to stain or decay more easily.
Tobacco use can lead to browning and cause your teeth to turn yellow, but it can also cause brown stains between teeth. Smoke and tobacco juice get between your teeth and can cause stains that can be hard to clear out, even with daily flossing. Tobacco use can also cause brown lining on teeth, particularly with chewing tobacco use.
It’s best to avoid using tobacco altogether, not only because it damages your teeth but also because it can cause many other health issues. If you would like information on how to stop tobacco use, talk to us! We’re here to help.
How Do I Remove Stains From Teeth?
There are two main ways to remove stains from teeth — at home or professionally. Keep in mind that at-home teeth whitening products take longer to work, may not work as well, and may make your teeth more sensitive, causing pain and discomfort. That’s why Endicott Dental offers professional teeth whitening in Broken Arrow, OK, for its patients.
Once stains have penetrated the enamel and are no longer surface stains, it’s very difficult to get them out with just toothpaste or strips. Endicott Dental uses a special chemical compound that penetrates the tooth enamel and deep cleans stains. This compound contains far more peroxide than what is found in home kits. It’s the peroxide that deep cleans your teeth.
Not only do we use more peroxide, but we also use special lights that cause the chemical reaction that cleans your teeth to speed up. The result is whiter teeth in a much shorter time than you might get at home. This is especially good for patients who are prone to having sensitive teeth.
At-home kits can make your teeth more sensitive because you have to wear them longer to produce a similar result to what you might get at the dentist. At Endicott Dental, we perform teeth whitening much faster, and we can tell what whitening solution is best for you to keep your teeth from becoming more sensitive. The bottom line is you get better results without discomfort if you have your teeth whitened professionally at your dentist’s office.
How Do I Keep Brown Spots Off My Teeth?
Tooth whitening and stain removal yield great results, but they may not last if you continue to eat and drink teeth-staining foods and drinks. Brushing with whitening toothpaste may help, but you likely will need to whiten your teeth again in the future. Endicott Dental is available for Broken Arrow, OK, for patients who want to maintain white teeth. Until then, there are things you can do to keep your smile as white as possible, such as giving up tobacco products.
If you eat and drink teeth-staining products, brush your teeth as soon as possible afterward with fluoride toothpaste. The longer these foods and drinks stay on your teeth, the better chance they have to stain the teeth. Good oral hygiene can reduce the opportunity to stain your teeth if you aren’t willing to give up these foods and drinks.
It’s OK to brush with tooth-whitening toothpaste, but be aware it won’t lighten your teeth as much as you may think. However, it may maintain your whitening treatment longer than with a regular toothpaste.
Keep up your regular dental appointments. A thorough dental cleaning by your dentist in Broken Arrow can help keep your enamel strong and more stain resistant. We also can check for other things that can discolor your teeth, such as tooth decay or gum disease from poor oral hygiene. If a new medication is causing your teeth to decay or discolor, we can work with you and your doctor on possible alternatives that won’t damage your teeth.
Teeth Stain Removal in Broken Arrow OK
A white smile makes a great first impression, and at Endicott Dental, your Broken Arrow dentist, we know how important that first impression is for our patients. We want you to leave our office with a burst of self-confidence that you can get from proper teeth-whitening treatments. If you’re ready to see how white and beautiful your smile can be, schedule an appointment with Endicott Dental. We can show you how brilliant and healthy your smile can be!
