Stained teeth 101: How to remove stains from teeth

How to prevent the onset of discoloured teeth

Now that you know what causes discoloured teeth, it’s time to explore how to prevent those unpleasant stains from occurring. The most important step in preventing tooth discolouration is an efficient and thorough oral hygiene routine. In addition to retaining the natural white of your teeth, this will also aid in your overall oral health. The steps to maintaining good oral care and prevent stained teeth are:³

1.  Brush your teeth twice a day. Each time you brush you should do so for at least two minutes, in an up-and-down motion with a good quality toothbrush.
   
   Tip: The best way to remove stains from teeth is to remove the plaque using a modern sonic toothbrush, such as the Philips Sonicare DiamondClean. It removes up to ten times more plaque in hard-to-reach places* and helps you to protect your teeth from discolouration.  
   
   
2. Clean your tongue daily with a tongue brush or scaler. This will help to remove the excess microbes that reside in the hidden spaces on the rough surface of your tongue which not only helps prevent the onset of plaque but bad breath too.
3. Clean the interdental spaces at least once a day. No matter how well you brush, there are hard-to-reach, unseen areas that can best be cleaned with the use of floss or an interdental brush. 
4.  Use an antibacterial mouthwash. Mouthwash can penetrate every area of your mouth and ensure that it is thoroughly cleaned, including around the tongue and interdental spaces. 

Tip: In addition to diligent oral hygiene, you should have your teeth professionally cleaned regularly at the dentist. The CDC recommends you visit your dentist at least once a year,³ which will not only ensure your teeth remain stain free but also help to avoid gum disease and other unwanted oral infections and illnesses. 

It’s not just good oral hygiene that can help you steer clear of stained teeth. Some simple changes to your lifestyle can also help to prevent discoloured teeth:

1. Reduce the consumption of products containing tannins. Did you know that consuming tea, red wine, and even coffee stains teeth? This is because these drinks contain tannins which are a plant compound shown to cause discolouration when consumed.⁴
2. Rinse your mouth with water after every meal. Drinking plenty of water during and after meals helps to flush through that bothersome plaque-creating bacteria.⁵ By drinking and rinsing your mouth with water you slow down the production of plaque and thus help to prevent staining.
3. Wait at least half an hour before toothbrushing after eating or drinking. While thorough toothbrushing is beneficial, doing so too soon after food and drink can do more harm than good.⁶ You should wait at least 30 minutes to prevent damage to the tooth enamel.
4. Quit smoking. Tobacco smoke and tar in cigarettes, cigars, and pipes are not only bad for your health, but they are also bad for your teeth. 7 These products dry out your mouth and increase plaque production, so quitting will help you avoid stained teeth.