Like To Keep Your Smile Bright All Year Round? How To Prevent & Treat Tooth Discolouration

Has it been a while since you’ve noticed a white, bright smile in the mirror? Tooth discolouration and stains can affect how confident you feel to show off your smile. But the good news is: tooth discolouration is treatable. 

In this blog, we look at the causes of tooth discolouration, how you can prevent it and the most effective teeth whitening treatments.

What Is Tooth Discolouration?

Tooth discolouration is categorised into three different groups: extrinsic, intrinsic and age-related discolouration. 

Extrinsic tooth discolouration affects the enamel of the tooth, while intrinsic discolouration happens within the tooth. Age-related discolouration often appears as a yellow tinge, and may be caused by both extrinsic and intrinsic factors.

Prevention

You can help prevent or slow tooth discolouration by making better lifestyle choices and avoiding food and drink that cause stains. 

Some of the most common causes of tooth discolouration and stains are:

• smoking
• tea & coffee
• red wine
• softdrinks
• chocolate
• certain medications
• excessive fluoride

The Importance Of Good Dental Hygiene

Another key factor in the prevention of tooth discolouration is making sure that you practice good dental hygiene. 

Brushing twice a day, flossing and rinsing your mouth out thoroughly can assist with the prevention of stains and discolouration. 

Regular dental check-ups and professional cleans can also help you keep your pearly whites looking perfect.

Teeth Whitening Treatments

If you’re unhappy with the colour of your teeth, you can opt for a tooth whitening treatment. 

Teeth whitening treatments involve the application of a bleach solution that will lighten the extrinsic or intrinsic colour of the tooth enamel. It is an optional treatment that offers aesthetic benefits.

Teeth whitening is not recommended if you have damaged teeth, gum disease, gum shrinkage or sensitive teeth. You should not undergo a tooth whitening treatment if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. 

Also keep in mind that teeth whitening works on natural teeth – so it won’t work on implants, crowns or veneers.

The Best Treatments

While there is an endless array of over-the-counter options for tooth whitening, the most effective way to whiten teeth is with a professional treatment. The Australian Dental Association advises that only registered dental practitioners should assess if teeth whitening is an appropriate treatment for a patient.

ZOOM Whitening is regarded as the leading teeth whitening treatment, with in-chair treatments and take-home solutions available from Littlehampton Dental. 

Zoom Whitening, unlike other over-the-counter products, is tailored to suit your needs by your dentist. We can create custom-fitted trays for our patients to use at home, while our in-chair treatments are performed to ensure the pest possible results. You will notice visibly whiter teeth in just one day, up to 8 shades whiter in less than one hour. At-home treatments are designed to achieve the same results within 7 to 14 days.

Treating Discoloured Teeth

Ask our oral health therapists about teeth whitening to improve the look of discoloured teeth. We also offer professional cleans, as well as internal bleaching, veneers and crowns, to help you achieve a brighter, whiter smile. Book a whitening consultation online now or phone our clinic on 8398 2500.