Stain removal | Peter Walker Dental, Faringdon (2024)

FAQs

How much does it cost to remove stains from teeth? ›

The most common type of professional teeth whitening is in-office bleaching, which usually costs between $500 and $1,000 per session with a national average of $650 per visit. Laser tooth whitening is another popular option that typically costs an average of $750 per session, varying between $500 and $1,000.

If discoloration is caused by tartar or medical conditions, a person may need to visit a dentist. A dentist or dental hygienist will use instruments to scrape, blast, or rub tartar and plaque away from teeth. A dentist may also perform minor procedures to whiten the teeth and protect them from further decay.

Our hygienists use a jet system to gently removing plaque and visible surface stains, which is suitable for everyone, even for those with sensitive teeth. This treatment works with a simple combination of 3 things - air, sodium bicarbonate and a jet of water.

When plaque isn't removed from your teeth, it can harden into tartar, which is impossible to remove at home. Tartar is one of the substances that is scraped off during your dental cleaning. If tartar remains on the teeth, it can inflame the gums and cause them to recede.

If you're looking for long-lasting results, Bianca Velayo, DMD of Green Valley Smiles Dentistry, recommends looking for peroxide-based products if you're hoping to whiten tooth enamel. You can opt for either carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide as both will reverse internal and external stains on teeth, she notes.

That depends on the cause. Brown staining from foods, drinks, or tobacco can be removed by cutting down on the culprit and improving your oral hygiene. For more stubborn stains, you may need at-home or professional whitening to remove brown stains.

Removing Teeth Stains at Home

Whitening Toothpastes- some whitening toothpastes contain hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide works by removing extrinsic and intrinsic stains. Other whitening toothpastes use high cleaning silica, which helps to remove surface stains on the outer layer of the teeth.

Over-the-counter teeth whitening products, such as whitening toothpaste or strips, may help lighten surface stains to some extent. However, a dentist's professional teeth whitening treatments are generally more effective for stubborn or deep-set stains between teeth.

Staining of the enamel is not permanent and can be easily reversed with treatments through professional stain removal and tooth whitening. Steer away from home remedies. Often these products are abrasive and can scratch the enamel making them more susceptible to staining - such as whitening toothpastes.

Perhaps, the most efficient method to get whiter teeth after red wine staining is a professional teeth whitening procedure. Today, dentists use a highly efficient whitening technique called the laser whitening. In this method, the whitening agent, usually, carbamide peroxide, is activated with a special light.

What do dental hygienists use to remove stains? ›

The Appointment

The Cavitron will effectively remove stain from most areas of the mouth. However, most tips are not thin enough to get the stubborn interproximal stain. If you do have access to a Prophy-Jet, this is another great way to remove the bulk of the stain buildup on the patient's teeth.

Air Flow® and Stain Removal

A powerful yet controlled jet of water, air and fine powder is used which polishes all the surfaces of a tooth, removing plaque, discoloration and soft deposits, but also reaches deep into gum pockets.

While it may be tempting to try and remove tartar on your own, it is not recommended to scrape it off using sharp objects such as dental picks or metal tools. Improper tartar removal can damage the enamel and gums, leading to further oral health issues.

Dental cleanings do not damage the enamel on your teeth! Cleanings safely remove the plaque and bacteria that builds up over time on the teeth and under the gums.

The goal of a regular cleaning is preventative maintenance and the goal of a deep teeth cleaning is to stop the progression of periodontal disease.

If you're worried about your stained teeth, it's time to visit your dentist. During your routine cleaning, your dentist or dental hygienist will use a high-powered ultrasonic scaler to blast off any tartar build-up on your teeth. These tools can also loosen up and remove stains from the surface of your teeth.

Professional teeth whitening on average costs around $650. The actual cost can climb up to $1,000 in some cases, depending on the type of teeth whitening product used and the dentist's fee. Though more expensive than at-home treatments, in-office treatments tend to be more beneficial.

Certain Medications

In most cases, discoloration occurs within a few weeks of use. If the browning is just on the surface, a little polishing during your dental cleaning can eliminate it. If not, the dentist may recommend a teeth whitening procedure.

Stain removal can be achieved during a routine hygiene appointment where the teeth are cleaned with an ultrasonic scaler and hand instruments to remove plaque deposits. The teeth are then polished with either conventional prophy polish or 'Air-flow'.