Solutions For Discolored Teeth

Do you feel uncomfortable about your stained or discolored teeth? If so, you probably feel every TV commercial about whiteners as a barb. But do these whiteners work? And which white is the right white for you? Here’s a quick-and-easy guide to your tooth whitening options.

Over-the-Counter (OTC) Whiteners

These days the tooth care aisle is full of whitening products: strips, trays, and toothpastes. Some of these products are good and can get you reasonable results, but they do require care in using. Some of the toothpastes contain abrasive material that can damage your tooth enamel. The strips and trays can be counted on to give good results for minor staining, but they can be ill-fitting and if improperly used can lead to uneven whitening.

In-Office Whitening

In-office whitening offers the promise of whiter teeth within an hour. It is offered by many dentists and even, in some states, medi-spas. The disadvantage of in-office whitening used to be that many of them led to significant tooth sensitivity. The complaints were so numerous that at least one major company changed its formula to address this issue, a move that some dentists say reduced its effectiveness. But if you need whiter teeth on a short time frame, this may be an ideal solution.

Professional-Strength Whitening

Trays The consensus among most dentists is that the best results are achieved using professional-strength whitening trays. These trays do not whiten your teeth in an hour or overnight, but they slowly remove the stains more effectively than any other method. Professional-strength trays have two advantages over the whiteners you can buy in the grocery store. First, dentists have access to stronger whitening compounds. Second, the dentist can custom-fit the trays to your teeth, ensuring a comfortable fit and even results.

Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers are a different approach to tooth whitening. Instead of whitening your enamel, they cover the stained surface with a new surface that can be as white as you desire. Porcelain veneers are relatively expensive compared to the other tooth whitening options. But if you have thin enamel that allows the yellow dentin inside your teeth to show, or enamel that is not as white as you would like, porcelain veneers may be your best option for getting the results you want. Porcelain veneers can also correct crooked or chipped teeth, making them cost-effective for people with multiple dental problems.

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