Your reason to smile is right here

If your smile appears a little lacklustre these days, it’s time to give your set of pearly whites a closer look. “Generally, during childhood, our deciduous teeth look whiter because the enamel is more opaque. With age, the enamel gets thinner, causing our teeth to change and appear yellow,” says Dr. Choy Keen Meng, Clinical Director and Dental Surgeon of TOOFDOCTOR Dental Centre.

According to Dr. Choy, tooth discolouration can be classified into two types: extrinsic and intrinsic.

Extrinsic stains occur from smoking and when the enamel is stained from food and beverages we consume.

Intrinsic stains usually happen during the development of teeth, where the enamel and dentin become discoloured from excessive consumption of fluoride and tetracycline antibiotics during early childhood.

“Another common cause of tooth discolouration is the accumulation of dental plaque – when not cleaned thoroughly it can leads to stains and tooth decay,” adds Dr. Choy.

There are many teeth whitening methods you can try. What you choose will depend on how soon you want to see results, your budget, and how severely discoloured your teeth are.

Your options

	Turmeric Paste	Laser	Take Home Kit	Hydrogen Peroxide-Free Take Home Kit
Pros	Cheap Natural Does not cause tooth sensitivity	Convenient – Single session (1 to 2 hours)	Easy to use Catered to each patient’s needs Causes less tooth sensitivity than laser	Easy to use One size fits all tray Causes slight or no tooth sensitivity Fast – 20 minutes per session
Cons	Results may not be dramatic Results may take time to show	More likely to cause tooth sensitivity More costly. Treatments can cost up to $1,000 Can weaken the tooth	Take two to four weeks for visible results Trays must be worn for at least 30 minutes – 4 hours daily based on concentration of gel	Results vary for individuals and may require more than one session for effect to show

Are you suitable for teeth whitening?

Not all of us, however, are suited for teeth whitening. According to Dr. Choy these include pregnant women or individuals with gum recession, weak enamel, and exposed dentin caused by grinding or acid erosion. Those who are wearing dentures should be aware that teeth whitening only works on natural teeth.

For those with severely discoloured teeth but cannot do teeth whitening treatments, Dr. Choy says they can opt for crowns and veneers. Regular scaling and polishing can also remove non-permanent stains and make your teeth appear whiter.

If the use of hydrogen peroxide is what worries you, look for an over-the-counter teeth whitening treatment that is hydrogen peroxide-free, so that it does not cause teeth and gum sensitivity.

Still, diligent dental hygiene is still the key to keep that sparkle in your smile. “Maintain your teeth’s cleanliness by brushing, flossing, and rinsing twice daily and after food,” advises Dr. Choy.