Can Dental Bridges Be Whitened?

Teeth whitening can be a great way to get rid of tooth discoloration and yellowish staining. However, if you have corrective dentistry such as dental implants, whitening can be a little bit tricky. 

Unfortunately, over-the-counter teeth whitening products have little to no effect on bleaching the porcelain materials used in bridges. So, how do you create a uniformly white and bright smile? And how do you keep your teeth looking great once they’ve been whitened?

Stains and Your Bridges

Anything that can stain your real teeth also poses the risk of staining your dentures, bridges, and crowns. The artificial teeth used on bridges and dentures are made of porcelain, which can be stained by dark and acidic foods and liquids. Because of this, the teeth on dentures and bridges need to be professionally cleaned by a dental professional for best results.

When it comes to removing stains from bridges, you would be wise to skip over-the-counter whitening options. Because of the nature of bridges, these products are essentially ineffective. They are made for regular teeth; not porcelain.

Your dentist can clean and brighten your natural teeth at a dental appointment. Usually, your dentist will clean your natural teeth first, and then try to match your bridges to those teeth. In some cases, however, artificial teeth cannot be whitened and the stains cannot be removed. If this is the case, you’ll want to consider having new bridges made to color coordinate more effectively. 

How to Keep Your Teeth Clean and Sparkling White

When it comes to a white smile, prevention is key. It is easier to partake in healthy oral habits and practices to prevent discoloration in the first place than it is to correct these problems later on.

To keep your teeth whiter, try:

  • Brushing your teeth routinely, at least twice per day, if not more.
  • Have your teeth professionally cleaned at least twice per year. Tartar and plaque build-up causes your teeth to appear yellow.
  • Avoiding tobacco products as they tend to turn teeth yellow or brown.
  • Wear a mouthguard when playing contact sports. Dental trauma can lead to discoloration.  
  • Avoid drinking colored beverages, especially coffee, tea, and colas. These liquids darken the color of the teeth.
  • Avoid colored foods. Anything that may stain your clothing may also stain your teeth.

If you are looking forward to having whiter teeth and dental work and to restore your pearly whites, contact us today for more information. Together, we can restore your smile back to pearly white.