Cheap and Not So Cheap Dental Remedies for Stained Teeth

By Susan Braden

What Causes Tooth Stains?

First and foremost, even the best cared for pearly whites will eventually turn darker over time. Your brilliant white smile which gleamed at age 16 may not be so bright at age 65. However, there are other outside factors that can cause additional tooth staining. Drinking dark liquids, such as coffee, tea, and colas, will quickly stain and darken otherwise healthy teeth.

Smoking of all kinds (whether cigarettes, cigars, or pipes) will also lead to premature tooth stains. Also, most forms of chewing tobaccos may quickly stain your teeth. If your smile has been permanently stained by tobacco, you may want to investigate a cheap dental plan to help take care of the cost of multiple dentist visits.

In addition, skipping out on regular dental maintenance and consistent brushing may cause your pearly whites to become stained, and remain stained, over time. Brushing, however, is an easy, cheap dental habit that is easy to maintain with a little discipline.

Remedies for Stained Teeth

Here are some simple remedies that can help keep your smile whiter for longer. The best remedy is to avoid the aforementioned beverages and products that can increase tooth stains! Although this avoidance may seem self-explanatory, it really is the best way to delay teeth staining.

The next ways to help prevent tooth stains are attending regular cleanings at your dentist, and maintaining your personal oral hygiene. If you cannot put down your coffee, sodas, or cigarettes, regularly brush as soon afterward as you can. The brushing will scrub off slight discolorations before they become permanent!

Over-the-counter whitening products can also help whiten stained teeth. These teeth-whiteners can vary in effectiveness and length of whitening, so it is wise to research a bit before beginning to use any of these products.

Professional Whitening

Most dentists also have professional whitening capabilities unmatched as of yet by over-the-counter products. There are a number of different types of whitening treatments, including bleach, UV rays, and lasers. Some of the procedures are temporary while others are permanent. It is smart to speak to your dentist about which procedures are best, and to investigate which are the most cheap dental options for your current condition.

If your teeth are so stained that teeth-whitening is not an option, veneers are also a possibility that allow you to get whiter teeth. Veneers are very thin porcelain facades which cover just the front of your teeth. Behind each veneer, your original tooth remains, but the porcelain cover presents a clean, shiny front of your tooth. Veneers are much more permanent than normal whitening procedures, but are also more expensive.

Conclusion

If your teeth are not yet stained, there are some simple steps you can take to help prevent them from becoming that way. If, however, your teeth are already stained, whitening methods may be a help, whether they are products purchased over-the-counter, or professional systems that are administered at your dentist office. You can access more information about whitening remedies and procedures through a bit of research online, or at a visit to your dentist. Although teeth-whitening is often not a cheap dental procedure, a good first impression is priceless.

For more cheap dental tips from Susan Braden, see this article.