To get rid of surface stains at home we recommend a 3-part approach:
- First, get your teeth checked and professionally cleaned by your dentist.
- Then use a whitening product (with no more than 7 percent hydrogen peroxide) for up to 14 days.
- Finally, reduce your intake of the substances that are causing the stains (cigarettes, red wine, coffee, tea).
If you have deep stains or colour changes you'll need a dentist's help. Professional bleaching will not be a permanent solution - but if you avoid foods that stain, the effects may last for up to 3 years before you need another bleaching treatment.
For very deep staining you could consider veneers or bonding, or a crown for a single tooth.
More information
- Dental Council of New Zealand: www.dentalcouncil.org.nz
- Dental treatments - crowns, tooth whitening, veneers: www.nzda.org.nz
Report by Bev Frederikson
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