How to Whiten Tooth Fillings

Tooth fillings, especially those made from composite resin, are designed to match the colour of your natural teeth. Over time, they may become discoloured due to staining from foods, beverages, or tobacco. While whitening natural teeth is relatively straightforward, whitening fillings requires a different approach. Here’s how to whiten tooth fillings.

Understanding Tooth Filling Discolouration

Why Do Fillings Discolor?

Composite fillings can absorb pigments from substances such as coffee, tea, red wine, and smoking. Unlike natural enamel, which can be whitened with bleaching agents, fillings do not respond to traditional whitening treatments. This is because the material does not have the porous structure that allows bleach to penetrate and remove stains.

Types of Stains on Fillings

Stains on fillings can either be surface-level or internal. Surface stains are caused by external factors like food and drink, while internal discolouration may result from aging or breakdown of the filling material.

Professional Whitening for Tooth Fillings

Polishing the Fillings

A dentist can often remove surface stains by polishing the fillings. This involves using specialised tools and abrasive pastes to buff away discolouration, restoring the original colour of the filling. Polishing is effective for superficial stains but cannot address deeper discolouration.

Replacing Discolored Fillings

If the discoloration is deep or the filling is old and worn, the most effective solution is to replace the filling. During this procedure, the dentist removes the stained filling and places a new one that matches the current shade of your teeth.

Home Care for Maintaining White Fillings

Regular Cleaning

Good oral hygiene is essential for preventing stains on fillings. Brushing twice a day with a non-abrasive toothpaste and flossing regularly can help reduce the buildup of stain-causing particles.

Avoiding Staining Substances

Limiting the intake of foods and beverages that cause stains, such as coffee, tea, and red wine, can help maintain the colour of your fillings. Using a straw for beverages can also minimise contact with the fillings.

Whitening Toothpaste

Although whitening toothpaste will not change the colour of the filling itself, it can help remove surface stains from both natural teeth and fillings, keeping them looking brighter.

Considerations for Whitening Treatments

Teeth Whitening and Fillings

If you undergo professional teeth whitening, the fillings will remain the same colour while the surrounding teeth become lighter. This can result in a noticeable mismatch. In such cases, the dentist may recommend replacing the fillings after whitening to ensure a consistent appearance.

Limitations of Whitening Products

Over-the-counter whitening products and treatments are not effective on fillings. Attempting to use these methods on fillings may lead to damage or discolouration rather than improvement.