You might be interested in the variety of at-home tooth-bleaching products that are available if you think your pearly whites have become off-white. But remember that no teeth whitening product replaces twice-daily tooth brushing and daily flossing as a consistent dental care routine.

The majority of stains that we see in our office are NOT on the teeth themselves, but rather on the tartar from sugars and acids that adhere to the tooth surface. Regular use of dental floss removes plaque and tartar, helping to prevent "stained teeth."

Think of a carpet before and after you vacuum. You may not really see the dust and dirt, but once you vacuum and the dust and dirt is removed, the carpet looks brighter. The same principle applies to flossing. So while you’re thinking about using a teeth whitening product, try re-committing to daily flossing and twice-daily tooth brushing, which can improve the appearance of stained teeth in some cases. Many whitening toothpastes have extra chemicals or polishing ingredients to improve their stain-removing properties.  However, you should avoid these toothpastes if you have any gum recession.

If you have tooth-colored fillings or tooth-bonding material on your front teeth, bleaching agents won’t affect the color of these materials. Instead, ask your dentist about replacing your current stained bonding with either new bonding or porcelain veneers.