Whiter and brighter smilez
A whiter, brighter smile starts with removing surface stains and checking that teeth, gums, and restorations are healthy before whitening.
The short answer
A brighter smile may come from professional cleaning, whitening of natural teeth, or treatment of stained or damaged restorations. The best option depends on the type of discoloration and the health and appearance of each tooth.
What is the direct answer?
What does this question mean?
Extrinsic stains sit on enamel and can come from food, drinks, tobacco, or plaque. Intrinsic discoloration lies within enamel or dentine and may need peroxide whitening, bonding, veneers, or another treatment after diagnosis.
What can you do next?
Brush with fluoride toothpaste, clean between the teeth, limit repeated exposure to staining drinks, and arrange an examination if you want a marked shade change. Ask the dentist to record the starting shade and assess restorations before treatment.
When should you seek dental care?
Seek care for a darkening tooth, pain, rough staining, bleeding gums, or a colour change after trauma. A single discoloured tooth may have pulp disease and should be assessed rather than treated only cosmetically.
What should you ask the dentist?
Ask whether the stain is external or internal, which teeth can whiten, how restorations will match, and whether cleaning or treatment is needed before cosmetic work.
Frequently asked questions
Does cleaning whiten teeth?
Professional cleaning can remove plaque and some surface stain, but it does not change the natural internal shade of enamel.
Why is one tooth darker than the others?
Trauma, pulp changes, decay, or a restoration can cause local discoloration and should be examined.