Stained teeth can be an embarrassing and confidence-sapping issue for many people. While some stains are simply superficial and come off with regular brushing, others can penetrate deeper into the tooth structure and be more stubborn to remove. The good news is that modern cosmetic dentistry offers a variety of professional treatments that can significantly improve the look of stained teeth. So if you’re wondering “can a dentist fix stains on teeth?”, the answer is generally yes. With the right techniques and expertise, dentists can often remove or reduce the appearance of many types of tooth discoloration.
What Causes Tooth Staining?
Tooth stains can have a variety of causes, including:
- Food and Drink: Foods and beverages like coffee, tea, red wine, and berries can stain teeth over time, especially if proper oral hygiene isn’t maintained.
- Tobacco Use: Smoking and chewing tobacco are notorious for causing brownish-yellow stains on teeth.
- Medications: Some prescription drugs like tetracycline antibiotics can discolor teeth, particularly in childhood when teeth are still developing.
- Trauma: An injury that damages the inner layers of the tooth can release pigments that cause a grayish or darkening effect.
- Aging: As we age, the outer enamel layer of teeth naturally becomes thinner, allowing more of the yellowish inner dentin layer to show through.
- Genetics: Some congenital conditions like dentinogenesis imperfecta can cause teeth discoloration.
Identifying the cause of staining is an important first step in choosing the right whitening treatment.
Types of Tooth Stains
Not all stains are the same. Dentists generally classify tooth discoloration into two categories:
Extrinsic Stains
Extrinsic stains affect the outer enamel surface of teeth. Common examples include:
- Surface stains from food and drinks.
- Tobacco stains.
- Plaque and tartar stains.
The good news is extrinsic stains are the easiest type for dentists to remove.
Intrinsic Stains
Intrinsic stains lie beneath the tooth’s surface and affect the inner structure and dentin layer. Common causes are:
- Aging.
- Genetic conditions.
- Trauma.
- Medications.
- Excessive fluoride intake as a child.
Intrinsic stains can be more challenging to remove since they require treatments that penetrate below the enamel. However, several dental whitening techniques are effective at lightening intrinsic discoloration.
Professional Whitening Treatments
Here are some of the most common professional whitening procedures dentists use to remove tooth stains:
Dental Cleaning
A standard dental cleaning is often the first step in stain removal. Your dentist or hygienist will use specialized tools to scrape away tartar, plaque and surface stains. A polishing paste may be used to buff and smooth tooth enamel. This can immediately brighten your smile by a few shades.
In-Office Whitening
In-office whitening, also called power whitening or chairside whitening, is performed at the dentist’s office in a single visit. Your dentist will first protect your gums, and then apply a high-concentration peroxide-based gel to your teeth. A specialized light or laser is shone on the teeth to accelerate the whitening process. In-office systems provide dramatic results, whitening teeth by up to 8 shades in an hour or two.
Take-Home Whitening Kits
Your dentist can provide customized take-home whitening trays and a prescription-strength whitening gel. The trays are worn a few hours per day or overnight for 1-2 weeks. The lower peroxide concentration causes a gradual lightening effect. Take-home kits produce more gradual results over a longer period than in-office treatments.
Other In-Office Options
For stubborn intrinsic stains that resist peroxide gels, your dentist may use alternative in-office treatments like micro abrasion or laser whitening. Micro abrasion involves gently sanding stained enamel with fine instruments, then polishing. Lasers break up deep stains through photochemical reactions.
Results of Professional Whitening
With today’s advanced systems and techniques, dentists can safely and effectively treat a wide range of tooth stains. The results you can expect include:
- 2-8 shade improvement, based on the whitening method used.
- Reduced appearance of intrinsic and extrinsic stains.
- Instant brightening with in-office power whitening.
- Gradual lightening over 1-2 weeks with take-home trays.
- Longer-lasting whitening effect compared to over-the-counter products.
Of course, avoiding stain-causing habits like smoking and frequent coffee drinking will help maintain your post-whitening results for longer.
Downsides of Professional Whitening
While often highly effective, professional whitening does have some potential downsides to consider:
- Higher cost than DIY methods.
- May require multiple in-office sessions for stubborn stains.
- Can cause temporary tooth sensitivity or gum irritation.
- Not permanent – touch-up treatments may be needed.
- May not remove all types of intrinsic stains.
Talk to your dentist about how to minimize any side effects and get the maximum whitening with minimum discomfort.
Home Whitening Methods
In addition to professional whitening, there are some DIY methods you can try at home to lighten superficial extrinsic stains between dental visits:
Whitening Toothpastes
Whitening toothpastes use mild abrasives and chemical polishers to help scrub away surface stains and brighten teeth by a couple of shades. Look for brands with the ADA Seal of Acceptance.
Whitening Strips & Gels
Whitening strips, paint-on gels and tray kits can lighten teeth up to 7 shades if used correctly for 1-2 weeks. Products with peroxide or carbamide peroxide provide more dramatic lightening.
Natural Whiteners
Home remedies like baking soda, activated charcoal, apple cider vinegar and hydrogen peroxide can help lift away extrinsic stains. But they provide less dramatic results than commercial whitening products.
Avoid Stain-Causing Foods & Drinks
Cutting back on stain-promoting beverages like coffee, tea, wine and soda – especially between meals – prevents new stains from forming.
Should You Get Teeth Whitening?
Teeth whitening is generally safe, effective and affordable when done properly. Professional whitening supervised by your dentist can transform the look of stained teeth and boost your confidence. Before undergoing any whitening treatments, talk to your dentist about:
- The type of stains affecting your teeth.
- The method that will work best for your particular stains.
- Realistic results you can expect.
- How to whiten teeth safely without damage.
With customized professional treatments, even long-term intrinsic stains can often be lightened significantly. And maintaining good oral hygiene plus avoiding stain-causing foods and drinks will help keep your brighter smile for longer.
Conclusion
While not everyone achieves Hollywood-style perfect pearly whites, today’s whitening techniques can greatly improve the look of stained teeth. So if you’re wondering “can a dentist fix stains on teeth?”, in most cases the answer is yes. Talk to your dentist about the best options to safely remove or reduce tooth discoloration and reveal a brighter, whiter smile.