My teeth are stained and look horrible - help me

[Newnamenewgame123]

My teeth are stained. I didn't think it was THAT noticable but with all the zooms I've done lately I've noticed it really is. It's mostly the bits around the edges, tbh - almost dark looking stains between the gaps.

I have an ok routine, obviously brush carefully twice a day for a couple of minutes but don't floss often enough. See a dentist regularly and they are generally healthy, I've only got one filling. So it really is mainly a cosmetic issue.

I was due (overdue) to see a hygenist and then lockdown happened and now god knows when I'll be able to sort it but it's really starting to get me down. When I'm zooming - obviously loads, like everyone else at the moment - it's all I can see.

So - is there anything I can do in the meantime. Happy to throw money at it. Hit me with your best ideas!

If you've seen the dentist on a regular basis before lockdown, I'm unsure how they'd suddenly get in a state and stained in a few months delay from your regular visits?

Flossing obviously needs to be part of your regular routine as a start.

Have you tried any at home, stain removal products? DH had similar stains in the gaps. His dentist used a floss which was similar to a very fine sandpaper strip and rasped it off! Assuming the stains aren't actually decay, this might be the only option.

Have you enquired whether your dentist has re-opened yet?

I got a teeth bleaching kit from my dentist called Phillips zoom. They take an impression of your teeth and then provide you with a gum shield thing in the shape of your teeth and you get these little syringes from which you put bleach on every tooth in the mould and keep it on ideally overnight, or for 2 hours during the day - obviously you can't eat or drink with the gum shield thing on, so bedtime is best.

HTH

It cost £299 pounds.

If it’s stains, brushing with bicarbonate of soda helps. I’m not sure if it’s abrasive though, but it should work with one use.

No, it's definitely not decay. It's obviously accumulated over time. It's about a year since we saw the dentist and at that time she said to make an appt to see the hygenist. I forgot, kept not getting it organised, etc, for months then finally made an appt and then lockdown. So it was already WAY overdue. I wasn't that fussed because I didn't think it was that obvious - but it really, really is. And i'm assuming I won't get an appointment now with a hygenist this year probably, given it's cosmetic.

I do drink a lot of tea, coffee and red wine...which I suspect are all part of the problem...

Haven't tried any home rememdies yet...was hoping to get some recommendations for a product or piece of equipment that would actually work!

(Yes - dentist only open for emergencies.)

Well, I've ordered some whitening strips which claim to remove 95% of stains in three days...so we shall see. They're from a proper brand, not random internet stuff, so fingers crossed.

Still open to other ideas though. TIA.

My dentist recommended I try a flosspick that’s like dental floss on a stick and an interspaces brush alongside normal brushing. She also thinks electric brushes are worth paying for but you should opt for the most basic toothpaste you can find.

I had this , was doing my head in!
I did oil pulling and got an activated charcoal tooth powder and a smokers tooth powder, literally the marks have gone after a week .

@Quackersandcheese3 which smoker's toothpaste did you get?

Oral b do a toothbrush head called 3D white that is great

Eucryl smokers tooth powder is really good for stained teeth. It's really cheap too.

Eucryl it’s a tooth powder .

Following this as I drink so much coffee my teeth stain horribly

If it’s around the edges then it is stain and tartar. No amount of tooth bleaching or horrible abrasive tooth polished or powders will get rid of it, but may get rid of some enamel for you.
You need a hygiene appointment. Ring and make one, they may not be doing them yet but should know when (unless you are in Scotland or Wales!)

The Philip's zoom whitener is available to buy from the internet. I havent used it but the reviews are very good.

Do you use an electric toothbrush?

Also try using the interdental brushes, I use the rubbery ones.

I use Eucryl its good, theres also a Pearldrops product i saw recommended on here i took a screen shot

Following

oil pulling with coconut oil is very good for teeth whiteness.

Also do you put water on the toothpaste before it goes in your mouth? I always used to do this, since a child, then read not to.

It makes sense not to dilute it even more, I use Oral B toothpaste, with my electric toothbrush & the rubbery brushes, if they look stained, a good 5/10 mins of extra maintenence every week or so, seems to remove most of it.

Then I forget again

The crest strips are amazing for whitening teeth

Yes to Eucryl tooth powder - £1.49 in Superdrug... it really works!
Or, til you can get some, plain old salt will help a little.
Haven’t tried bicarbonate of soda but it’s an old tip that’s stood the test of time.
If you drink a lot of black coffee, red wine or if you smoke, all these can stain your teeth.

White glo smokers toothpaste. Use the brush that comes with it. One go and it shifts all the staining and then I swap back to my usual toothpaste until I need to do it again
The hygienist was amazed as I usually have stains needing removal but not since I got this. Honestly it's magic!

Hi OP - not sure why you can't just book a hygienist appointment? They are open for everything - you do need to pay extra for PPE though - especially if it's an aerosol procedure - about £15/£20 I think but will vary per practice. They are definitely open though I've got a hygienist appointment next week!