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You may brush your teeth diligently twice a day and floss after every meal but your pearly whites may still seem anything but white. Stained or discolored teeth can happen for of reasons. One of the main causes of stains on teeth is the constant consumption of beverages such as tea, coffee, and red wine. Another big culprit when it comes to yellow or brown stains on your teeth is tobacco. Along with problems such as bad breath and wrinkles, stained teeth go hand in hand with regular smoking. Aging can also lead to stains on teeth. As you age, the enamel on your teeth tends to thin out exposing the inner yellow layer of dentin. While stains caused by the above reasons can be removed or reduced, there are some stains that need professional attention. Stains caused by fluorosis (an over exposure to fluoride) or as a result of certain antibiotics such as tetracycline cause intrinsic stains that need a dentist’s expertise to remove.

There are a number of options available if you want stain free teeth. These range from simple home remedies to over-the-counter whitening kits or cosmetic procedures performed by a dentist. Here’s a run down of the best ways to remove stains on your teeth:

• A popular home remedy to help remove yellow stains from teeth is to mix two teaspoons each of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda into a thick paste. To make this paste more palatable you could add a bit of mint or even a pinch of your regular toothpaste. Brush your teeth with this paste and leave it on for a few minutes before rinsing off and gargling thoroughly. Avoid swallowing this paste and do not try this remedy if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Hydrogen peroxide could cause irritation to the gums. This is normal and not a major cause for concern.

However, avoid using this paste or any product that contains hydrogen peroxide if you have sores or ulcers in your mouth.

• Take a pinch of baking soda and add a few drops of lemon juice to make a paste. Rub this over your teeth and massage gently to reduce stains.
• Try rubbing your teeth with the peel of an orange. There are compounds present in orange peel that help lighten stains without doing any damage to the tooth enamel.

There is a possibility that the stains may continue to remain despite the use of natural remedies. In such situations it is best to speak to your dentist and check for solutions. You could also consider cosmetic procedures such as resin bonding and veneers to solve the problem; but this is best discussed with your dentist. Such alternatives basically cover the stained area with an opaque material and improve the appearance of your teeth. A professional dental clean up should also be done regularly to remove stains caused by food, drink, and tobacco. While this may be an expensive option, the results are far superior to any home remedy or whitening kit available.

Other ways to reduce stains on teeth include:

• Brush regularly especially after drinking tea or coffee.
• Floss after every meal.
• Stop smoking.
• When drinking juices, iced teas or colas, opt for a straw as this reduces the exposure of your teeth to possible staining.
• If you do use toothpastes or products specially designed for smokers or stained teeth, proceed with caution. These products tend to be over abrasive and can cause more harm than good if not used properly. Check with your dentist before trying any of these products and stick to using them only twice or thrice a week at the most.
• If a large portion of your teeth have been capped with veneers already, most home remedies will make no difference to any stains on these teeth. In fact, products like baking soda can scratch these materials and result in darker stains than before.

Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautionary measures while following instructions on the home remedies from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.