Supersmile toothpaste Archives

I have been on a tetracycline protocol for about 2 years that my dermatologist prescribed for me. At my last check-up, my hygienist said that I have stains on the back of my teeth that are brown lines and it seems like they’re starting on the front now. Can the tetracycline stains be causing this? If so, is it possible to fix this?

Brittany

Dear Brittany,

teeth whitening tray being placed on teeth

In general, tetracyclines will only be an issue if you take the medicine while your dentin is forming. You’d need to be under thirteen years old for this to be an issue. That being said, there are some studies that say that one particular variation, minocycline, can cause some staining in adults. If that is the brand you are taking, I would suggest you deal with this sooner rather than later.

First, switch which variation you are using. Second, start bleaching your teeth with professional strength teeth whitening right away. If you start this early, you will be able to get your white teeth back. If you put it off, the only solution will be expensive porcelain veneers, which will need to be done by one of the top cosmetic dentists in the country because of how challenging these types of stains are. That will make it more expensive than normal.

If you are not using the minocycline, then you are just developing normal stains. The best toothpaste to use to remove external stains is SuperSmile Toothpaste. It does it without the harsh abrasives you get with most whitening toothpaste brands.

I hope this helps.

This blog is brought to you by Ahwatukee Dentist Dr. Harveer Kaur.

I have had dental bonding for a few years. I thought it would last longer. They’ve begun to pick up stains. My dentist told me to make them the color I wanted them because they wouldn’t whiten. I do realize that, but I wondered if it is possible to get them back to their original color?

Desiree

Dear Desiree,

Unfortunately, teeth whitening doesn’t work on any dental work. That doesn’t just apply to dental bonding. It also includes things like dental crowns and porcelain veneers. What teeth whitening will do is make your natural teeth whiter, but your dental work will end up looking worse.

If the problem is just surface stains, you can try using Supersmile toothpaste, which is specifically designed for dental work. This keeps your teeth white and helps with stains without damaging your teeth the way typical whitening kinds of toothpaste do. If that doesn’t work, you can ask your dentist to polish the bonding. That should help brighten them.

Ultimately, though, dental bonding really only lasts for so many years and it will need to be replaced. If you are looking for a more long-term cosmetic solution, you may want to consider getting porcelain veneers. These last much longer when taken care of.

This blog is brought to you by Ahwatukee Dentist Dr. Harveer Kaur.

Is Tetracycline Staining My Teeth?

Whiten Dental Bonding