Discoloured teeth can make you feel self-conscious about your smile. After every appointment or dental cleaning, we want you to feel confident that your teeth look their best. No smile is perfectly white, but teeth whitening treatments can remove some staining.
Teeth whitening in Ontario is more accessible than ever, with low-cost options and in-office treatments to fit any budget. Direct-to-consumer strips are the most affordable, but if you want professional results, we can send you home with a peroxide-based whitener or offer in-office treatment at different costs.
What Causes Tooth Discolouration?
There are 3 different types of tooth discolouration: extrinsic, intrinsic, and age-related.
- Extrinsic tooth discolouration only affects the tooth’s enamel, or the tooth’s surface, commonly caused by coffee, tea, wine, fruits, vegetables, or tobacco use
- Intrinsic tooth discolouration is staining within the tooth, typically a result of some medications, too much fluoride, or injury to the teeth
- Age-related discolouration is often caused by a mix of extrinsic and intrinsic factors, resulting in a yellow appearance
The primary issue causing discoloured teeth comes from what we eat and drink. Discolouration can appear in several shades, including:
- Yellow staining, which is common in tobacco users, tea and coffee drinkers, high sugar diets, or chronic dry mouth
- Brown staining is also typical in tobacco users but can also come from tartar buildup, berries, juice, and red wine
- Purple staining can appear on the teeth of those who drink primarily red wine
Depending on the discolouration you’re experiencing—extrinsic, intrinsic, or age-related—and the shade of the staining, your dentist may recommend specific whitening methods over others.
Discuss the options with your dentist, even if you’re planning to use over-the-counter products, to preserve the integrity of your enamel.
What Are the Different Options for Teeth Whitening?
Teeth whitening technologies are expanding to help people transform their stained teeth into a confident smile.
At-Home Teeth Whitening Kits
Every drugstore has teeth whitening strips, emulsions, and whitening pens for as low as $30. Prices vary based on the number of strips, but they’re the most affordable option for an everyday budget.
Other direct-to-consumer brands offer LED light trays at home for $100 or more. However, there’s the risk that the standard trays won’t fit your bite, so if this option is more appealing than strips, talk to your dentist about take-home teeth whitening.
Take-Home Teeth Whitening Treatment
For $100 to $300, we can give you peroxide-based teeth whitening trays to take home. By getting trays from our clinic, we can ensure that the standard trays fit your mouth. If your teeth need a customized tray, there’s an additional cost, but your mouth will be far more comfortable.
In-Office Teeth Whitening
Our in-office teeth whitening treatment can give you the best results faster while keeping your teeth healthy and free from damage. A common complaint with at-home teeth whitening kits and strips from the drugstore or direct-to-consumer brands is the issue of tooth sensitivity.
With in-office treatment, our experienced dental team individualizes your whitening treatment to give you a whiter smile with minimal discomfort. If you’re particularly sensitive to peroxide-based whitening, we can discuss other methods to restore confidence in your smile.
On average, in-office whitening can cost between $400 to $600, and you may need a few appointments to achieve your desired results. However, once you have in-office treatments, maintaining white teeth with at-home whitening products and some lifestyle changes can preserve the look of your radiant smile.
How to Keep Your Teeth White
Some at-home whitening remedies are popular, but most have little evidence to back them up. But some ways to preserve your newly whitened teeth can include:
- Brushing teeth with baking soda toothpaste to help fight surface staining
- Daily flossing
- Consuming fewer sugary drinks and foods
- Avoiding acidic foods
- Maintaining regular dental visits
- Drinking with a straw
Scheduling an appointment with your dental hygienist every 6 months and your dentist annually can help monitor the health of your enamel.
Achieve a Healthy Smile
If you’re due for your next dental cleaning and check-up, book an appointment with our dedicated dental team in Etobicoke. Whether you have questions about teeth whitening, dental hygiene practices, or other cosmetic dentistry services, let us help you achieve your healthiest and best-looking smile.
