Stained or discoloured teeth can cause social embarrassment or psychological trauma. Perhaps you’ve experimented with different toothpastes or bought home bleaching kits to whiten your smile, only to find that these options fall short of your expectations.

1. Removal of Stains
How Hornsby Dental Clinic gives you options for removing stains on your teeth:
Stained or discolored teeth can cause social embarrassment or psychological
trauma. Perhaps you’ve experimented with different toothpastes or bought home
bleaching kits to whiten your smile, only to find that these options fall short of your
expectations. Fortunately, your dentist can provide suitable cosmetic treatments with
good long-term results.
Why do teeth stain?
There are several types of stains:
1. Surface stains occur between teeth and on the surfaces of crooked teeth. They
usually look brown, and often they are caused by coffee, tea and tobacco. To prevent
surface stains, cut back on coffee, coca cola, tea and red wine, and avoid smoking. Visit
your dentist regularly for professional cleanings, and brush and floss regularly.
Soft deposits are caused by plaque or tartar build-up. Often these start from bacteria,
and are usually due to inadequate oral hygiene. They can look like dark and whitish
areas around the gum line, and can be removed after dental scaling and polishing.
2. Tetracycline stains can be yellow, brown or gray. Multiple in-office bleaching can
create a much whiter smile.
3. Intrinsic stains look like white splotches or bands of brownish gray on the tooth
surface. They may be due to genetics, disease, medications or advanced decay by old
silver fillings.
Solution One: Polishing
Polishing is the simplest way to remove stains. It is a painless procedure where your
dentist applies a paste to the surfaces of your teeth using a rotating instrument. Deeper
intrinsic stains may require for advanced treatment such as micro abrasion. Polishing is
best if you:

2. Removal of Stains
Have only slight surface staining
Want a natural look
Want to spend a small amount of time and money
Solution Two: Teeth Whitening
Teeth Whitening involves using an oxidising agent to lighten the teeth, and is best for
moderate surface and intrinsic stains. Your dentist may recommend in-office or home
bleaching depending on the nature of your stains. Bleaching is best if you:
Have mild to moderate tetracycline, fluoride or trauma-related staining
Don’t want to spend too much money
Are happy with the shape of your teeth
Prefer a more conservative, noninvasive approach
Make the most of bleaching:
Tell your dentist if you have both crowns and natural teeth that you want to be lightened
Avoid consuming citrus fruits, juices, soft drinks and antacids after bleaching
Decrease your intake of refined sugars before and after bleaching
Solution Three: Bonding
Bonding involves applying composite resin to the existing tooth, and can mask many
types of stains to create a natural-looking and attractive smile. However, bonded teeth
tend to stain easily and require periodic repair. Bonding may be best if you:
Have white or brown spots or staining due to excessive wear or silver fillings
Are not a heavy smoker or coffee drinker
Are willing to take extra care of your new smile
Want a less expensive and less invasive option (compared with veneers or crowns)
Take care of your bonded teeth:
Do not chew ice or bite your fingernails
Brush regularly
Floss daily, but pull floss out horizontally, not vertically
Have your teeth cleaned at least four times yearly
If you clench or grind your teeth at night, use a nightguard

3. Removal of Stains
Minimise consumption of coffee, tea, colas and sugar
Don’t smoke
Cut your food into small pieces and use your back teeth to chew
Solution Four: Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are one of the most exciting techniques in cosmetic dentistry today. It
involves bonding a thin laminated porcelain veneer to the tooth surface. Its primary
advantages are the beauty and durability of the material. Porcelain doesn’t stain like
composite resin, and remains attractive for a much longer period of time. In addition,
porcelain veneers can improve not only the colour but also the size and shape of your
teeth for a total smile makeover. Porcelain veneers are best if you:
Want a significant change in the colour of your teeth
Are willing to undergo slightly more invasive and time-consuming procedures
Can afford the higher cost of treatment
Want highly aesthetic results that will last longer
Solution Five: Crowns
Placing crowns is a more costly and time-consuming option compared with other
solutions to staining. However, it can produce near-perfect aesthetic results. Crowns
require removal of natural tooth structure, so are usually only recommended for stained
teeth that have additional aesthetic and/or functional problems. Crowns may be best if
you:
Have many large defective fillings
Want the most aesthetic and longest-lasting results
Are looking for a complete smile makeover, including improvement in the shape of your
teeth
Have discoloured teeth that also need some realignment or straightening
Source: http://www.hornsbydentist.com.au/hornsby-dental/removal-of-stains/