Can Porcelain Teeth Be Whitened?

Many people are interested in a bright smile, but not all treatments work the same. When you know more about the bleaching process and how it works, you can determine if it's right for you.

Identification

• Porcelain is a material used to construct fake teeth such as veneers, bridges, implants and crowns. It is often used in cosmetic dentistry because of the appearance that it creates.

Treatment

• You can whiten your teeth with over-the-counter products, such as whitening strips or trays that use bleaching agents to remove or diminish stains on teeth. Or you can have a treatment administered by a dentist or other professional, who will use stronger chemicals for a more thorough bleaching process.

Effects

• Regardless of your type of treatment, whitening products are designed to work only on your natural teeth. They will not change the color of or remove stains on porcelain teeth.

Prevention/Solution

• Your teeth can become stained because of cigarette smoke and beverages (red wine, grape juice, coffee, tea) and foods (berries, red sauces, curry) that are deeply colored. Minimize your intake of these foods.

Considerations

• Follow proper oral hygiene of twice-a-day brushing along with daily flossing and rinsing with a mouthwash to minimize stains. If that doesn't work well for you, ask your doctor if it's time to replace your porcelain teeth for ones of a different shade.