Smile Away: How to Remove Deep Stains From Teeth

If you've got deep stains on your teeth, you may be wondering if you can clean them. Learn how to remove deep stains from teeth in this healthy smiles guide.

Teeth stains, like any other type of stain, can be a pain to remove. Whether you are an avid coffee drinker or enjoy a cigarette every now and then, deep teeth stains are hard to get out. 



But don't worry! In this post, we'll show you how to safely and effectively get those pesky stains off your pearly whites in no time flat. Keep reading to learn more about how to remove deep stains from teeth!

What Is Tooth Staining?

Tooth staining (also known as tooth discoloration) is the appearance of unflattering or abnormal tooth color, translucency, and hue. When your teeth become discolored internally, they are the result of pigment particles being absorbed by the tooth structure.

External discoloration is simply an accumulation of stains on the tooth surface. Your teeth may appear discolored for a number of reasons, but before learning how to remove teeth stains, you must know what type of stains you have.

There are generally three main types of teeth discoloration, which we will discuss below.

What Causes Stains on Teeth and Types of Stains

There are three kinds of stains on teeth: extrinsic, intrinsic, and age-related. Age-related staining happens over time. Since the dentin yellows naturally and the enamel thins, the dentin becomes more visible.

Extrinsic stains are caused by dark food or drinks. Coffee, wine, coke, berries, and even your favorite curry can cause tooth staining.

An intrinsic stain occurs when the dentin in the interior of your teeth darkens or produces a yellow tint. A variety of things can cause these stains:



• Consuming a diet high in carbohydrates
• A rare condition called dentinogenesis imperfecta which causes amber, green, or purple discoloration
• Medications such as tetracycline or chloroquine, either you or your mother during the latter half of her pregnancy
• Consuming too much fluoride during childhood
• Trauma to the teeth, for example, from playing sports
• A defect on the tooth's surface called dental fluorosis
  

How to Remove Deep Stains From Teeth

A dental professional can remove deep stains, but it's possible to remove some of them at home. Here are some basic things to remember.

Teeth Whitening at Home

Brush your teeth with water and baking soda or toothpaste for up to two minutes each day. This removes surface bacteria and discoloration on the tooth.

If you're wondering how to remove deep stains from teeth, you've probably come across a wide range of home whitening remedies. Some remedies include whitening toothpaste, activated charcoal whitening, whitening strips, apple cider vinegar, and good ol' fashion baking soda. Many people swear by fruits like pineapples and apples.

Others turn to the centuries-old tradition of oil pulling, an ancient Indian folk remedy. In recent years, coconut oil has become favored for a variety of reasons. The most popular reason many people prefer coconut oil for oil pulling is its high lauric acid content. This means coconut oil can help with reducing inflammation and killing bacteria.

Can Dentists Remove Stains?

At first glance, at-home whitening kits might seem like the cheaper alternative, but don't be fooled by crafty marketing. The first attempt, or perhaps even the 10th, will not give you the results you desire. Eventually, the costs will stack up, and you'll be left out of pocket, plus your teeth won't appear any brighter.

To avoid frustration and disappointment, it's best to schedule a teeth whitening appointment with your local dentist. Dentists can provide professional-grade teeth whitening that's tailored to your needs.

They typically use the most gentle and effective treatments, like gel or in-office applications with a high concentration of hydrogen peroxide. This is important because too much bleaching will damage tooth enamel - a problem you'll encounter if you try at-home kits.



The results are natural-looking, long-lasting, and more affordable in the long run. You'll be smiling brighter without any fuss!

Preventing Tooth Staining

If you want to know how to whiten yellow teeth, it's essential to also learn how to prevent tooth discoloration. To help prevent tooth staining, try to drink less tea and coffee. Avoid red wine as it often contains tannins that can stain your teeth.

You may also want to skip the soda because of its high sugar content; this can cause plaque buildup on your teeth and lead to cavities or more serious dental problems down the road.

Here are some other ways you can prevent tooth staining:



1. Brush teeth before drinking your morning cup of coffee (plaque makes it easier for teeth to stain)
2. Brush at least twice a day (after meals and after drinking dark beverages) and rinse often
3. Floss daily for about two minutes to remove food particles from between your teeth which could otherwise contribute to bacteria growth and stains over time
4. Make sure you choose a mouthwash that has an antibacterial action to reduce plaque buildup
5. Visit with a dentist on an annual basis so they can provide you with oral care tips specific to maintaining healthy gums and preventing deep stains from forming
6. Quit smoking; both tobacco and nicotine can cause teeth to stain because they contain tar and nicotine
   

Schedule a Teeth Whitening Appointment With GKS Family Dentist

You may have noticed that the coffee you drink, red wine, and other favorites leave an ugly stain on your teeth. Fortunately, with a bit of knowledge about dental care, there are ways to remove these deep stains from your teeth, so they look healthier.



In this post, we've covered everything from what causes those pesky stains in the first place to how to remove deep stains from teeth for good! For even more information about caring for your smile or scheduling an appointment at our office, be sure to contact us today.