Stains On Teeth: Can They Be Removed? (2024)

FAQs

Stains On Teeth: Can They Be Removed? ›

That depends on the cause. Brown staining from foods, drinks, or tobacco can be removed by cutting down on the culprit and improving your oral hygiene. For more stubborn stains, you may need at-home or professional whitening to remove brown stains.

Stain removal can be achieved during a routine hygiene appointment where the teeth are cleaned with an ultrasonic scaler and hand instruments to remove plaque deposits. The teeth are then polished with either conventional prophy polish or 'Air-flow'.

Professional whitening works best on surface (extrinsic) stains. But some whitening products can remove deep dental (intrinsic) stains, too. In-office bleaching takes about one hour to complete. Most take-home whitening treatments require 30- to 60-minute daily treatments for up to six weeks.

Most stains and spots caused by fluorosis or tooth decay are likewise irreversible. For permanent or stubborn brown spots on the teeth a dentist may be able to hide discolorations, or prevent further discoloration, with: white composite fillings. veneers.

Extrinsic dental stains

These stains can usually be reversed with regular dental cleanings or by brushing your teeth using a toothpaste with whitening power. The stains come back, however, if plaque builds again or you continue to use the products that stained your teeth in the first place.

Intrinsic. Intrinsic stains occur beneath the surface of the tooth and occur when stain-causing particles are able to work their way through the outer layer of your tooth and accumulate within the enamel. Intrinsic tooth stains are more difficult to remove then extrinsic stains, but they can be treated.

The cost of teeth whitening ranges from $10 to $1,000 and sometimes more without insurance. According to a survey by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, the average cost for teeth whitening or bleaching under the guidance of a dentist was $508 in 2022, up from $393 in 2019.

That depends on the cause. Brown staining from foods, drinks, or tobacco can be removed by cutting down on the culprit and improving your oral hygiene. For more stubborn stains, you may need at-home or professional whitening to remove brown stains.

Stains that occur on the outside of the teeth, along the enamel, are considered extrinsic stains. These stains affect the outermost layer of a tooth and can often be corrected with whitening techniques. Inadequate brushing, drinking a lot of tea or coffee or smoking are all typical sources of teeth staining.

Professional in-office bleaching treatments using strong bleaching agents like hydrogen peroxide are highly effective for removing deeper, intrinsic, and stubborn stains. The best approach depends on the type and severity of the stained teeth, so consulting a dental professional can help determine the ideal solution.

Can you scrape brown off teeth? ›

For example, scraping the brown spots from the teeth should only be done by a dental professional. If not done professionally, the scraping might even cause further damage to the tooth's enamel (and thereby introduce new sites for food debris and bacteria to accumulate).

Your hygienist uses specific tools to scrape away these deposits, either hand tools – the scrapers and picks you're likely familiar with – or, if needed, an electronic device called an ultrasonic scaler for deeper stains or discolorations.

Natural discoloration due to eating certain foods and drinks (blueberries and coffee, for example) is known as extrinsic staining because the stain is only on the surface level of your teeth. These stains are easily removed with teeth whitening procedures or over-the-counter products that whiten and strengthen enamel.

Toothpaste brands such as Crest3D and Colgate Max White are exceptionally good at removing stains that are not too deep. The brushing technique matters and the proven way is to brush up and down as well as with a sideways motion.

Staining of the enamel is not permanent and can be easily reversed with treatments through professional stain removal and tooth whitening. Steer away from home remedies. Often these products are abrasive and can scratch the enamel making them more susceptible to staining - such as whitening toothpastes.

However, years of chewing and grinding take a toll, causing the enamel to slowly wear away. Enamel loss makes the yellow dentin in the tooth more visible, causing a yellowish tint. Food and drinks also play a role in age-related tooth discoloration.

The most effective way to fix tooth decoloration, at least, without getting “new” teeth, is to get professional whitening done at your local dentist office. Your dentist will prescribe a specific treatment strength and length for you, based on the types of teeth stains you have and your sensitivity levels.

Regular brushing and flossing can help prevent stains between teeth by removing plaque and maintaining good oral hygiene. However, if the stains have already formed, professional dental treatments may be necessary to remove them effectively.

Brush and floss daily to remove plaque, a major cause of tooth discoloration. Brush your teeth with baking soda. It won't bleach your teeth, but it can remove surface stains.

Polishing is the simplest way to remove stains. It is a painless procedure where your dentist applies a paste to the surfaces of your teeth using a rotating instrument. Deeper intrinstic stains may require for advanced treatment such as microabrasion.