Tobacco & Tea Stains: How to Remove Them

Smoking and drinking tea both stain the teeth and over time the teeth will become yellow and if left untreated it can even turn black. So what options are available?

Why do teeth turn yellow with smoking and drinking tea?

Long-term smokers will find that their teeth are stained and often yellow and sometimes even develop black stains this is a normal symptom. Apart from drinking tea even consuming dark colored foods can also affect the color of teeth. However, there is no need to worry, in most cases the pigmentation and discoloration is only on the surface on the teeth and can be removed with a dental cleaning and dental sandblasting.

Most people know that even after the stains have been removed the teeth can only be restored to its original shade of yellow. For individuals who want to improve the overall shade of their teeth then whitening treatment is required. At Shenzhen AKJ Dental Clinic we highly recommend our cold-light whitening treatment where patients can see at least a 5 shade improvement after treatment.

How is cold-light whitening treatment done?  

Whitening agent is applied to the teeth and a LED light is used to speeds up the reaction of the whitening agent. It's a fast, easy way to whiten your teeth with the whole treatment complete in 1 hour. It’s a great option for individuals who need a quick fix.

How long does cold-light whitening results last?

Cold-light whitening results can last between 1 to 2 years but will depend on how patients look after their teeth after the treatment. For the results to last smoking, drinking tea and coffee should be avoided or should be cut back. Also limiting the amount of dark colored food consumed is also important. However, getting cold-light whitening treatment again after a 1 to 2 year period is also safe and does not harm the teeth as it’s a non-invasive procedure. 

Home Teeth Whitening vs. Professional Whitening Treatments

What’s the difference between at home whitening systems and clinical whitening treatments? There are still a lot of clients that don’t know the difference between costs and results of these two types of whitening treatments.

Teeth Whitening at Clinics

Teeth whitening at clinics are carried out by professional dentists. Special equipment will be used along with whitening agents and the most commonly used whitening treatment these days is cold-light whitening. The biggest advantage of getting your teeth whitened at a clinic is that the procedure is done by professional dentists so there will be guaranteed results. The treatment is quick and takes approximately 30 minutes and the difference in the shade of teeth is noticeable. The only downside is that after the treatment you will have to avoid teeth staining foods and beverages for the results to last.   

At Home Whitening Systems

At home whitening systems have become increasingly popular as the treatment can be done at home at anytime. A dentist will provide gum trays and tell patients how much of the whitening agent should be added to the trays. The advantage of whitening at home is you can do it by yourself and you can maintain whitening results, however if not done properly then the results will be directly affected.

For more visible whitening results it would be best to have the treatment done at a clinic as the dentist can provide advice and provide a treatment plan which is better for you. In comparison with at home whitening systems which are carried out by yourself there is the possibility that you can damage your teeth if you don’t carry out the treatment as instructed by your dentist.

Prices

In terms of prices whitening treatment at clinics and at home whitening systems work out at roughly the same price. Whitening treatment done at clinics cost approximately 2,000 RMB and if you also want to add a at home whitening system so you can maintain the whiteness of your teeth then if could work out at about 3,000 RMB. 

How Much is Professional Dental Whitening Treatment?

Has your confidence been affected by your teeth? Especially when you see that others have a bright white smile? Want to get your teeth whitened professionally but afraid of the price tag that comes along with the treatment? Here’s a quick guide to professional teeth whitening. 

Teeth whitening is becoming one of the most sought after procedures at dental clinics and in today’s world of glamour everyone wants to look good. White teeth goes with any lipstick from the glamour of red to the fun barbie pink. However, how much does a professional whitening treatment cost?

Firstly, there are different types of dental whitening treatment and therefore there are different prices. For example cold-light whitening can cost 2,000 Yuan for one treatment, veneers have starting costs at approximately 1,000 Yuan and dental crowns are the most expensive with prices ranging from 4,000 Yuan to over 10,000 Yuan.

For those who are worried about the costs of dental whitening treatment there is no need to worry, before any treatment can be carried out you will first have to get a check-up done by a dentist. Once the dentist has identified the type of staining on the teeth which can be any of the following: smoking stains, tea stains, tetracycline or fluorosis. There is also the need to consider if there is any damage to the tooth and in doing so the whitening treatment plan can be devised.  

You can search up on the type of whitening treatment before you visit a dentist and during your consultation with a dentist you can directly inquire about costs.