What’s an effective way to target tooth discolouration and why does it appear on enamel?

Track down the culprits

Stains are areas of darkened tooth enamel. You can be affected by both internal (caused by fluorides, certain medication, tooth death, etc.), and external discolouration, referring to staining on the surface. It is way easier to find the culprit in cases of external discolouration – staining is often caused by highly pigmented ingredients in foods and drinks. When accompanied by insufficient dental hygiene, teeth can become yellow, yellowish-brown or even black – and your bright smile will be nowhere to be found.

No need to give up coffee or wine

There is a whole range of foods and beverages that may stain your teeth: coffee, tea and wine cause discolouration, and so do carbonated drinks, sweet lemonades, or even tomatoes, curry, soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, sweets or fruits such as blueberries and blackberries. Simply put, whatever can stain your tongue and mouth can also stain your teeth. That doesn’t mean we have to give up coffee, wine or fruit, of course! A form of first aid you should resort to after consuming them is rinsing your mouth with water.

Bet on sandblasting and thorough at-home care

Discolouration can be removed – or reduced – in several ways. To get your teeth back to their natural shade, try using whitening toothpastes, formulated with active ingredients such as activated charcoal, enzymes, peroxides, micro-pearls or abrasives.

Choose the right toothpaste formula on the basis of the degree of tooth discolouration: mild pigmentation caused by stains from coffee of fizzy drinks can usually be helped by most types of whitening toothpastes. In cases of medium and high degrees of discolouration, pick whitening toothpastes with peroxides. When using them, make sure always to follow the instructions on the packaging. When brushing your teeth, it’s important to focus on removing the plaque from the surface of your teeth, as that’s where the pigments are deposited.

You may also want to recall when you last had a dental hygiene appointment. A dental hygienist can help reduce discolouration in a gentle way thanks to a special sandblasting technique. No need to worry, the treatment is painless and you’ll see results immediately.

What you can do to reduce tooth discolouration

Other things that work well are special whitening gels, powders, teeth whitening kits and teeth whitening powders or whitening pens. You can support their effects further with special mouthwashes for whiter teeth. In any case, before embarking on any at-home whitening, visit your dentist to make sure any cavities are fixed and get advice on what type of whitening is suitable for you. Your dentist will also be able to uncover any potential deeper issue which may be causing discolouration.

5 tips to help prevent tooth discolouration

1. Book regular appointments with your dental hygienist. Some staining can only be removed by a professional and your teeth will be healthier, shinier and whiter.
2. Brush your teeth thoroughly, using interdental brushes and dental floss on a daily basis to complement normal brushing.
3. When consuming foods and beverages that cause staining, rinse your mouth with water or brush your teeth 30 minutes after eating or drinking.
4. If you still indulge in smoking, try to get rid of the habit.
5. Use a high-quality whitening toothpaste, preferably one that is suitable for the specific needs of your teeth (for example, toothpaste for sensitive teeth, toothpaste for periodontal disease, etc.).

Pearly white teeth require care and time, but a beautiful (and healthy!) smile is definitely worth it. After all, it’s one of the first things we notice about other people.