Stains on my teeth

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I've recently developed a few stains on my front teeth, probably from drinking too much wine tea, and it's bugging me. I'm sure no-one else has noticed, but it is slowly getting worse. In the past, my NHS dentist used to do a quick polish whenever I went for a checkup, but he's stopped doing it. Apparently you now have to make (and pay for) a special appointment with a hygienist.

Any suggestions for a miracle product that will shift the stains so I don't have to resort to expensive trips to a hygienist? Don't suggest whitening toothpaste because I have used it for ages to no effect.

Not much help but you should see the hygienist at least every 6 months, ideally more. Not usually too expensive.

Eucryl toothpowder is very good for shifting stains and is cheap - I usually get mine from the Pound shop or Savers.

Do you use an electric toothbrush?

Argh, sorry, forgot to revisit thread....

Yes, I do use an electric toothbrush. And whitening toothpaste.

Aren't there bleachy-type products you can use, or are they bad for the teeth?

No personal experience but I read recently about bicarbonate of soda helping to remove stains. I think you just use it neat and scrub as you would with normal toothpaste...perhaps you could investigate further on the net?

As a dentist, I would recommend an oral B electric toothbrush with something like either macleans whitening or oral B pro expert toothpaste. I have 4 black coffees and 10+ teas per day as well as red wine etc etc (not on a school night!!) and no staining at all.

A hygienist visit is less than a facial but is actually (scientifically!!) beneficial to your oral health so...!

Oral B electric Toothbrush - check
Oral B Whitening toothpaste - check (DH works for the company )

MrsM, you are probably right, I should "bite" the bullet and make an appointment. Having said that, I don't expect the stains are harmful, just cosmetic. Annoying, though.

Also, it is only a recent thing (am 46).

this?

I think Superdrug sell them too.

Cerealqueen - that looks good! Worth a try at that price (assuming it won't sand down my teeth).

Bleach won't shift the stain funnily enough, you would think it'd be the best thing wouldn't you?

I think the best course of action would be a hygienist appt, whitening toothpaste and avoidance of the stain culprit!

i was going to say eucryl too, love the stuff!

I got a Philips Sonicare toothbrush and reckon my teeth are way whiter now than when I used the old OralB electric toothbrush and tooth whitener gel from the dentist.

Go to the hygienist! Best, most dramatic effect money I spend on my appearance.

Go to the hygienist! Best, most dramatic effect money I spend on my appearance.

No really!

these are very effective compare.ebay.co.uk/like/221164230665?var=lv&ltyp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&var=sbar&adtype=pla&crdt=0

although they did give me sensitive teeth which i didn't have previously

Don't some medicines, such as antibiotics, cause stained teeth? Or does that only apply to children?

Don't like the idea of sensitive teeth from bleaching strips; that must mean it's making the teeth more porous.

Damn it, I'm going to book a hygienist appointment. Bet she nags me about not flossing enough.....

Thanks for your help.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but my dentist told me that staining IS actually harmful, not just cosmetic. Apparently stains create microscopic ridges which bacteria love to hang out in.

Also if anyone is using Corsodyl mouth wash for gingivitis, this can create staining too which can ironically make the gingivitis worse, so don't use it for too long, and get to the hygienist for polishing.