Anyone who’s had front teeth dental fillings knows that their appearance plays an important role in lightening up their smile. That’s why the discoloration that gradually occurs in some front teeth fillings causes discomfort for some people who, in turn, look for solutions to whiten fillings on front teeth.
In this blog, we will explore the main causes of discolored tooth fillings and offer solutions to improve the appearance of your front teeth.
What Causes Discoloration in Front Tooth Fillings?
There are many reasons behind the gradual discoloration of your front tooth fillings, including:
- Dietary habits: Some drinks, including coffee, tea, and red wine, and specific foods like berries, beetroot, curry, and tomato sauce, can stain tooth-colored fillings over time.
- Smoking: Tobacco use leaves nicotine and tar, leading to discolored fillings.
- Poor oral hygiene: Failing to brush and floss regularly results in the buildup of plaque and tartar, leading to discolored edges of the filling and internal decay.
- Leaking fillings: After a while, a filling might lose its seal, allowing fluid and bacteria to get through, causing staining and internal tooth damage.
- Secondary decay: If a filling is too old, worn, or has a poor seal, bacteria can infiltrate it and cause decay, creating dark spots or a shadow under the filling.
- Trauma or medications: Dental trauma, some medications, including tetracycline antibiotics, and even fluoride can all alter the visual appearance of fillings.
- Type of dental filling material: Some dental filling materials, including silver sulfide used in amalgam fillings, have a grey-black color that becomes more pronounced over time.
- Aging of the filling material: Amalgam (silver-colored) and Composite (tooth-colored) fillings can darken after coming into contact with staining factors.
Professional Solutions to Treat Discolored Front Tooth Fillings
When seeking professional help with discolored front tooth fillings, doctors usually list a few options that could help your situation. Here’s a list of treatments for discolored dental fillings.
Professional Teeth Whitening
Professional teeth whitening is a safe and effective cosmetic dental treatment designed to remove stains and lighten the color of your teeth. Performed by a dentist, this procedure uses high-quality whitening agents that can brighten your smile by several shades in just one visit.
Unlike over-the-counter whitening products, professional whitening ensures even results and minimizes tooth sensitivity. It’s especially helpful for people whose teeth are discolored from coffee, tea, smoking, or aging. With proper care and regular dental checkups, the results of professional teeth whitening can last for a long time.
Dental Veneers
Veneers are a thin layer of material placed over a tooth to cover any deficiencies and improve its appearance. If your teeth are still in good shape and strong, apart from having small visual defects, dental veneers are the perfect choice because you can keep most of your existing teeth intact.
Read More: Ultimate Guide to Maintaining Your Dental Veneers
Dental Bonding
This is the most common procedure for fixing chipped and discolored teeth. As a cosmetic dentistry procedure, dental bonding includes using composite resin materials to help reshape and whiten a discolored and chipped tooth. Tooth binding is one of the most popular treatments in cosmetic dentistry.
Dental Crowns
In this procedure, a tooth-colored crown is placed over the discolored tooth to cover the stained fillings. Dental crowns are not placed over healthy teeth because to place the crown, most of the existing tooth must be removed. Dental crowns are the best option for weak and cracked teeth to improve visual appeal and functionality.
Dental Implants
Used usually as a last resort, dental implants replace the discolored tooth entirely. Before placing dental implants, dentists check to see whether or not you have healthy gums and bone structure, without which the procedure is impossible. Dental implants are cost-friendly, as one can cover a couple of teeth.
At-Home Methods to Improve Appearance
Indeed, no scientific evidence supports the effectiveness of home remedies for professional tooth whitening. However, if you are looking for some solutions to try at home, you may benefit from the following suggestions.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Rinsing and brushing your teeth with products that contain Hydrogen Peroxide can improve your teeth’s appearance and lighten your smile.
Read more about the effects of hydrogen peroxide on teeth whitneing on Healthline.
Baking Soda
If you mix baking soda with water to form a paste and place it on your teeth for a couple of minutes before washing your mouth, you can improve the appearance of your teeth and kill bacteria in your mouth.
Activated Charcoal
Originally used by ancient Romans, activated charcoal is a home remedy for teeth whitening. However, caution must be exercised while brushing your teeth with charcoal, as it can be very abrasive, and applying too much of it can cause damage.
Lemon
Citrus fruits, especially lemon, due to their acidic properties, can remove stains from the surface of your teeth and act as a tooth whitening agent. To do so, add some lemon juice to baking soda and create a pasty formula to brush your teeth.
Contact Us for Expert Whitening Solutions!
Do you have a discolored front tooth filling that dims your smile? No need to panic. To redeem your beautiful smile, all you need to do is contact us at Walk In Family Dental and book an appointment.
Tips to Maintain Bright, Natural-Looking Fillings
Now that you’ve learned a few tricks to whiten your teeth at home, it’s time to learn how to keep your dental fillings bright and aesthetically pleasing.
- Avoid certain fruits and vegetables like blueberries and beetroot.
- Brush and floss daily, as good oral hygiene prevents plaque buildup and surface stains from forming on your fillings.
- Choose gentle and non-abrasive whitening or fluoride toothpaste to keep your fillings clean without scratching them.
- Avoid smoking; tobacco can quickly stain your fillings and dull your overall smile.
- Swish water after meals. This helps wash away pigments before they stick to your teeth.
- Schedule regular dental cleanings. Professional polishing removes stains and keeps your fillings looking fresh.
- If your fillings lose their shine, ask your dentist about polishing or replacing them for a brighter look.
Get Expert Help to Whiten Fillings on Front Teeth Effectively
If your front tooth fillings have lost their brightness, you don’t have to live with a dull smile. While stains and discoloration are common over time, professional dental treatments can help restore your teeth’s natural color and shine. Your dentist can assess whether whitening, polishing, or replacing the old fillings is the best option for you.
At Walk-In Family Dentistry, we provide our customers with top-notch cosmetic dentistry services in North York to meet their needs. Start your front teeth whitening journey today and book an appointment with our board of specialists to see which treatment suits you best.
FAQ
How can I whiten my fillings on my front teeth?
Depending on the kind of treatment you’d like, you’ll have a few options. If you want to try at-home remedies, you can brush your teeth with a mixture of lemon juice and baking soda. However, if you are looking for a permanent solution to your problem, consider professional teeth whitening treatments at a trusted dental facility like Walk-in Family Dentistry.
How to fix discolored fillings on front teeth?
You can benefit from several professional dental treatments, including applying dental veneers, opting for dental bonding, or placing implants to completely replace the discolored filling.
Can stained fillings be whitened?
The answer to this question depends on the tooth filling’s age and structure. Dental fillings, if kept properly, last between 5 and 10 years. The longer it takes to seek help for whitening tooth fillings, the lower the chances of positive and desired outcomes.
How to make a filling white again?
You can use at-home remedies like hydrogen peroxide and baking soda. Dental Veneers, Crowns, and Bonding also provide suitable solutions for making a tooth filling white again.
Have you ever tried any of the suggestions above for professional tooth whitening? Which one? How was your experience? Share your thoughts in the comments below and let others learn from your experience.
