How to whiten stained teeth
Whitening stained teeth starts with identifying whether the discoloration is surface stain or a change within the tooth.
The short answer
Use a dental examination to identify the stain, then choose cleaning, peroxide whitening, or treatment of the tooth according to its cause.
What is the direct answer?
What does this question mean?
Surface stains come from pigments, plaque, or calculus, while internal discoloration can follow trauma, decay, fluorosis, or dentin changes. Restorations do not bleach like natural teeth.
What can you do next?
Brush with fluoride toothpaste, clean between teeth, and have calculus professionally removed. Use whitening only as directed after disease has been excluded.
When should you seek dental care?
Seek care for one tooth that suddenly darkens, pain, a hole, swelling, or bleeding gums before whitening.
What should you ask the dentist?
Ask whether the stain is external or internal, whether cleaning is enough, and how restorations will match after whitening.
Frequently asked questions
Can brushing remove every stain?
No. Calculus and internal discoloration need professional assessment.
Why is one tooth darker?
It may have pulp injury, decay, or a restoration and should be examined.