Teeth whitening is the process of removing stain from teeth. Understanding how your teeth were stained directly impacts how to whiten them. Generally, there are two types of teeth staining: internal stains and external stains.

he most common, external stains, are caused by foods, beverages that come in contact with the teeth. The worst offenders are items that contain large amounts of pigment, such as coffee, tea, colas, berries, and red wine. Smoking is another cause of external teeth staining. Over time, these products can cause teeth to yellow significantly.

Exposure to certain medications such as tetracycline, minocycline, and doxycline can cause the teeth to become stained internally. Sometimes, internal stains are caused by consumption of excessive amounts of fluoride during the period of enamel formation. Under certain circumstances it may also cause surface pitting of the teeth. Internal staining can also occur when a tooth is damaged, resulting in death of the tooth's nerve, which may cause the tooth to turn black, gray or brown in color.

After accessing your teeth and goals for a brighter smile, Dr Tocci will recommend the right treatment for you.