Feeling unhappy with your teeth can lower your self-esteem, causing you to hide your smile. Your smile is what many people will first notice about you in many situations, including interviews and dates. Not wanting people to see your teeth could give the false impression you’re unfriendly and unapproachable. 

Discoloured teeth are one of the biggest confidence barriers. However, there are many ways to treat this issue, whether you have light stains or strong yellowing, including cosmetic treatments and lifestyle alterations. Read on to find out which option is most suitable for your teeth.

Teeth Whitening 

This cosmetic procedure is the most obvious way to brighten your smile. Although there are many at-home teeth whitening products to choose from, they can be ineffective and unless you’re buying them from a reputable retailer, they may even be unsafe.

Professional treatments get the best results, which usually entails a dental professional applying a bleaching agent to your teeth and activating it with a UV laser. This option can lighten the natural colour of your teeth by several shades and can last between six months and two years. The dentist may prescribe at-home treatments to accompany this treatment.

Keep in mind that teeth whitening can potentially cause gum sensitivity.

Veneers 

If you don’t want to undergo regular whitening treatments, you may consider investing in veneers for a longer-lasting effect. Veneers, which are customised shells applied to the surface of your teeth, can last for up to 20 years if you follow the advised maintenance. 

This cosmetic treatment can hide any discolouration and any other dental imperfection. You can cover just one tooth, a few teeth, or your entire set of teeth if you wish. 

Fresh smile, a cosmetic dental practice, offer composite bonding and porcelain veneers to suit differing budgets and severity of dental conditions. 

Professional Cleaning 

If you have minor stains, your dentist can remove them during your routine appointment. Air polishing, which uses compressed air, water, and bicarbonate particles, is an effective cleaning method for removing most stains. 

Although this technique doesn’t whiten your teeth, it can help strengthen the results of teeth whitening procedures. 

To determine whether you’re suited to air polishing, seek advice from a hygienist.  

Dental implants

If a dead root has caused your tooth discolouration, you won’t be able to whiten it, and it might need removing. However, you can permanently alter your smile’s appearance by getting the tooth replaced with an implant. This treatment involves having titanium screws fitted into your jawbone, and in a separate procedure, a false tooth attached to the screws.  

Although this is a more costly option, it’s a worthy investment if your tooth needs replacing as the finish is extremely realistic and can last a lifetime.

How to avoid discolouration? 

After undergoing a cosmetic dental procedure to brighten your smile, the last thing you want is to reverse the effects. To avoid stains and discolouration in the future, maintain good oral hygiene and eradicate bad habits. Here are some tips: 

• Clean your teeth twice a day.
• Floss daily.
• Use mouthwash twice a day.
• Attend routine dental appointments.
• Rinse your mouth with water after consuming stain-prone food and drinks.
• Avoid or limit consumption of beverages that cause stains, e.g. red wine, fizzy drinks and coffee.
• Avoid or reduce your intake of foods that cause stains, e.g. curry spices, tomato sauce, berries.
• Avoid smoking.

Giving your smile a makeover to achieve pearly whites will instantly boost your confidence, so you’re never afraid to show off your teeth again. For more guidance on the best way to treat your discolouration, seek advice from a dental professional.

We’re very proud to bring you this feature in association with Fresh Smile. For more features, please pay a visit to our lifestyle page.