People typically opt for white fillings due to their aesthetic and function. They allow for restorative work that blends in with the natural and healthy surrounding teeth. Prior to the filling being fitted, a dentist will mix the composite resin to match the natural colour of the teeth.

Staining though harmless physically, can impact self-confidence. How we view ourselves is fundamental to how we feel. Some patients may be impacted by a stained filling. We encourage patients who are struggling with their smile, to contact us, so we can support and treat with the appropriate care.

What causes white fillings to stain?

White fillings can stain when exposed to differing factors. Most commonly foods and drinks containing deep pigments, such as:-Red Wine

-Coffee

-Tea

-Beetroot

-Sauces containing tomatoes, turmeric or saffron.

-Berries like blackberries, cherries, blueberries, and cranberries.

Teeth grinding over a long period can break down the surface of the filling, leaving small (non-visible) holes, which make the filling more susceptible to staining. As white fillings naturally age, the material used deteriorates which can cause it to shrink or change in colour ever so slightly.

Can it be prevented?

With proper care, staining can be prevented.

The first and most important thing is to maintain your cleaning routine. Brushing twice a day in the morning and night. Flossing also helps to remove any bits of food left behind.

Investing in a nightguard can help protect the filling and the surrounding teeth when grinding is an issue.

Attending check-ups with your dentist every 6-12 months allows for any potential problems to be flagged and fixed before deep staining or more sever issues occur.

Being conscious of what foods and drinks you consume can help reduce the chance of staining.  When eating foods containing staining pigments, using a toothbrush and toothpaste can help remove any pigment before it seeps in. Using straws when drinking juices or fizzy drinks with pigments in.

What should I do if my white filling is stained?

The best way to restore a white filling back to its original colour, is to go to the dentist so they can properly assess and fix it. Fixing a stained filling should not be taken into your own hands. Brushing and maintaining your oral care is vital and can help remove hard to budge stains

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When brushing is not enough, there are a few solutions that can be used. The simplest and quickest is to polish over the filling. This is ideal for when the filling has longevity to it, preventing more time fitting a new filling. Polishing is done using a small drill or polisher, it agitates the stain off the fillings surface.

If the filling has become stained over an extended period due to gradual exposure to pigmented food and drinks, the solution may be to replace the filling. Naturally over time, fillings wear down and become more ill fitted to the tooth they’re fixed to, removal and replacement helps keep the natural tooth intact. Alike the filling being fitted, the dentist will use the same technique to match the composite to your teeth, ready for re-treatment.

Veneers are another alternative to a stain-free smile. This is ideal when one or more teeth are affected, leaving a greater portion of the smile with discolouration. If this is something that may also reoccur on one or more teeth, this may be considered as a solution. Veneers are like caps for the teeth, which replicate the surface natural tooth, but are made from porcelain or resin. Porcelain veneers are particularly resistant to stains.