Nice white teeth

White-looking teeth depend on enamel, dentine, stains, cleaning and the whitening method chosen after a dental examination.

Tooth colour comes from translucent enamel over naturally darker dentine. Surface stains from foods, drinks or tobacco differ from internal colour changes caused by ageing, trauma or some medicines.

Have decay, leaking restorations and gum inflammation assessed before whitening. A dentist may use peroxide gel with a custom tray or in-office application; whitening does not change the colour of fillings or crowns.

Seek an examination for one dark tooth, pain, sensitivity, enamel defects or a colour change after injury. These findings may need diagnosis before cosmetic treatment.

Ask whether the discolouration is surface or internal, whether existing restorations will mismatch, which method suits your teeth and how sensitivity will be managed.