Frequent questions encountered by dentists are “How can I whiten my teeth?” and “How can I get rid of my yellow teeth?” These have been common questions asked by many patients. A bright smile can cheer you and the people around you as well. Let’s learn about the causes and different ways to get rid of these stains. What Is A Stain? The color of teeth is determined by translucency, the thickness of enamel, the color of underlying dentin, and the color of pulp (blood vessels in the tooth). Alteration in the normal color of a tooth is called a stain. It can be due to physiologic or pathologic reasons. The staining of teeth can be classified into two types: extrinsic discoloration and intrinsic discoloration. Extrinsic discoloration: Found on the outer surface of teeth due to localized factors. The most common stain observed is tobacco staining. Other factors leading to extrinsic teeth staining are: - Tea and coffee - Wine - Carbonated drinks - Artificial food coloring - Turmeric - Medicines - Excessive plaque build-up - Calculus Intrinsic discoloration: Here discoloration comes from within the tooth. It can be during the developmental stages of enamel or dentin or can be after tooth eruption. Causes of intrinsic discoloration are: - Trauma - Fluorosis - Decomposed pulp (blood vessels) - Root canal material - Aging - Tooth filling materials

What Can Be Done To Whiten the Teeth? Many procedures can do teeth whitening, but the most popular one among them is bleaching. Enamel can be bleached by using different peroxide chemicals. These chemicals penetrate the enamel, bond with the stain, and remove the stain by breaking down the stain molecules, thereby reducing the intensity of the stain. Bleaching can be done by two methods: in-office teeth whitening and at-home teeth whitening. In-office teeth whitening: It uses a higher concentration of peroxide chemical with which teeth whitening can be achieved quickly. The number of sittings depends upon the intensity of stains, and each sitting should not be more than 30 minutes. At-home teeth whitening: If the stains are mild, especially extrinsic stains where professional intervention is not regularly required, at-home teeth whitening is advised. At-home teeth whitening is a tray-based system that uses carbamide peroxide gel and custom trays made for the patient. The patient is asked to wear the tray along with the gel for 2-4 hours or overnight. After 15-30 days, the teeth appear to be 1 or 2 shades lighter. At-Home Whitening Procedure - At-home bleaching techniques usually have trays that are to be worn by patients for 30 min a day. - Trays can be prefabricated or custom-made. - Patients are advised to brush their teeth before application of bleaching material. - The patient is asked to apply enough material to cover the outer surfaces of teeth for 30 min to 1 hour, depending on the severity of stains and concentration of solution given. -The Patient is asked to rinse their mouth after this and clean the tray thoroughly under running water. - This can be done until teeth become two shades lighter. (Typically, 3-4 weeks) - If necessary, the patient can do this every 3-4 years. Who Should Not Opt For Bleaching? Though this aesthetic treatment is widely popular, there are a few contraindications for bleaching as well, which are as follows: - Hypersensitive teeth - Translucent teeth - Excessive gum recession- root exposure - Pregnant women (consult a gynecologist and dentist) - Young children - Fractured teeth - Existing large restorations in the mouth Apart from these, there are a few genetic dental conditions that need a dentist’s attention, like amelogenesis imperfecta (imperfect formation of enamel) and dentinogenesis imperfecta (imperfect formation of dentin), which leads to teeth discoloration.

Tips To Keep Your Teeth White After Bleaching - Avoid excessive intake of coffee, tea, colas- rinsing the mouth with water immediately after consumption helps - Practice oral hygiene- brush twice daily, floss regularly, avoid intermittent eating habits - Rinse the mouth with water after eating sticky substances like candy, chocolates, biscuits, bread - Using whitening toothpaste which contains a small amount of hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide (consult your dentist before use) - Getting oral prophylaxis (cleaning) done at your dentist’s office every 6 months - Visit your dentist immediately if you notice any severe discoloration of the tooth- it can be due to the death of pulp tissue inside the tooth. - One can repeat at-home teeth whitening at the advice of the dentist if at all they notice a change in tooth color after 3-4 years These are the available treatment options for brightening or whitening teeth. A pleasant smile boosts confidence and helps improve self-esteem. Now that you know the causes of tooth discoloration, it is time to reverse the dental staining.