Everyone will always want something better. A pound lighter, a few centimetre taller and for some of us, a shade whiter for our teeth! No matter how young or old we are, we will always want to improve our appearance as the first impression matters. You might have a few burning questions and we are here to answer them.

What causes teeth stains?

There are various types of treatment when it comes to teeth whitening. Before deciding which teeth whitening treatment is best for you, it is important to understand the different types of teeth stains. Usually, there are two main types of teeth stains when it comes to tooth discolouration:

1. Extrinsic Teeth Stains (Tooth discolouration on the tooth surface)

Extrinsic teeth stains are mainly from the food and drinks we consume or even frequent tobacco smoking. Extrinsic teeth stains are usually yellowish or brownish. Things that might cause extrinsic teeth stains:

• Red wine
• Coffee
• Tea
• Tobacco
• Cola

 

2. Intrinsic Teeth Stains (Tooth discolouration within the tooth structure)

Intrinsic teeth stains are more difficult to remove as it is located within the tooth structure itself. Usually, stains within the enamel layer can be removed using teeth whitening procedure such as chairside (in-office) whitening treatment.

However, if the stains are caused by the dentin or pulp within the tooth, regular chairside/in-office teeth whitening treatment might not be treatable. For some cases, the dentists might advise you to undergo a root canal treatment (link to root canal page) before proceeding with the teeth whitening procedure.

Things that might cause intrinsic teeth stains:

• Tetracycline stains (Certain antibiotic medications)
• Trauma or damage to a tooth
• Tooth decay
• Excess fluoride consumption (Fluorosis)

Types of whitening treatment

1. Scaling and Polishing

For extrinsic teeth stains, it can be easily removed and managed through a routine scaling and polishing by a professional dentist. Some small lifestyle changes can be useful to reduce the rate of teeth staining from drinking or eating.

One way is to rinse your mouth with water after consuming teeth staining food/drinks. Another way is to use teeth whitening toothpaste. However, teeth whitening can be abrasive which may cause damage to your teeth and gums in a long run. We advise you to maintain your oral health by having a routine dental check up with your dentist for a regular scaling and polishing.

 

2. Chairside (In-office) Teeth Whitening

Even though there are over-the-counter teeth whitening products, it does have its own limitation and may cause potential damage to your teeth and gums. We advise you to consult a professional dentist before doing any cosmetic treatment to your mouth.

It is the most common type of teeth whitening treatment that many dental clinics offer. In-office teeth whitening are highly effective and has longer lasting effects on your teeth as compared to other teeth whitening methods. Most dentists will recommend chairside (in-office) teeth whitening treatment as it is a fast and effective way to whiten stained teeth.

At G Dental, we offer the Philips Zoom! Teeth Whitening treatment as it is a safe and effective way to brighten your smile for any occasions.

3. Take Home Teeth Whitening

A take home teeth whitening kit consist of a whitening gel and bleaching tray that is custom-fitted according to your teeth structure. Our dentists will send the customised tray for fabrication before issuing it to you.

At G Dental, we offer you the Opalescence take home teeth whitening so that you can gain back those pearly white teeth in the comfort of your own home.

Are you ready for your Teeth Whitening Treatment?

After reaching the causes of stained teeth and different types of teeth whitening treatments, are you ready to achieve a whiter and brighter smile? As results may vary for teeth whitening treatment, we advise you to consult a dentist to understand the cause of your stained teeth and which teeth whitening procedure will work best for you.

 

Click here to make an appointment with our dentist for an oral examination or initial consultation to achieve that pearly white teeth for any occasion!