What is Stain Removal and Polishing?
Professional polishing (prophylaxis) is performed to remove stain on the teeth that cannot be removed during the dental cleaning. Selective polishing is the best practice, which means to polish only the teeth that require this treatment. Not all teeth should be polished on a routine basis. Every time a polish is performed the rich outer layer of the enamel is removed. Over the course of your lifetime this adds up to irreversible enamel loss.
How do Stains accumulate on our teeth?
There are many different types of stains that accumulate on our teeth.
- Foods that we consume can contribute to stains on our teeth, these stains create a rough surface & allow deposits to adhere on our teeth easier.
- Extrinsic tooth stains are stains that can be removed from the tooth surfaces. Some of these stains include: dyes in foods, tobacco, beverages or from particular ingredients in mouth wash.
- Intrinsic stains are stains that come from inside/within a tooth. They maybe hereditary, developmental (when tooth was forming), from medication or can be associated with aging. These types of staining would NOT benefit from a polish. However professional whitening may be an option, depending of the original source of the stain.
How Can I Avoid Staining my Teeth?
During our Dental Hygiene Assessment, I will identify the type of stain on your teeth. We work together to formulate a stain management plan. There are products that can help you reduce staining on your teeth, in the least damaging method for your tooth enamel. Regular brushing and flossing after meals, or drinking water after your coffee or tea can help prevent common staining.
COST: Stain Removal / Polishing: $14.00