How to clean and whiten teeth
Clean teeth with brushing and interdental care, then choose whitening based on stains, enamel, fillings, and gum health.
The short answer
Clean teeth with brushing and interdental care, then choose whitening based on stains, enamel, fillings, and gum health. A dentist can remove calculus and identify whether discoloration is on the surface or within the tooth.
What is the direct answer?
What does this question mean?
Cleaning removes plaque, food debris, and calculus from tooth surfaces and gum margins. Whitening uses peroxide to change the color of some natural tooth stains, but it does not recolor fillings, crowns, or veneers.
What can you do next?
Brush all tooth surfaces with fluoride toothpaste and a soft brush, clean between teeth daily, and arrange a professional scale and polish when calculus is present. For whitening, use a dentist-provided system or follow a labelled product exactly.
When should you seek dental care?
See a dentist before whitening if you have bleeding gums, cavities, cracks, exposed roots, or strong sensitivity. Dental assessment is also appropriate when one tooth darkens or a stain does not improve with cleaning.
What should you ask the dentist?
Ask whether your color change is extrinsic or intrinsic, whether any restorations will remain a different shade, and which whitening material suits your enamel. Ask how sensitivity and gum contact will be managed.
Frequently asked questions
Does a dental cleaning whiten teeth?
It can remove external deposits and stains, but it does not bleach the natural enamel color.
Why are my teeth still yellow after brushing?
Natural dentin shows through enamel, and some stains lie within the tooth rather than on its surface.