What can I do about my stained teeth?

“Why are my teeth yellow even if I brush them every day?” If that’s a question you’ve asked yourself, read on! We sit down with the team at Dental Designs Clinic to chat all about yellow and stained teeth. Plus, they walk us through the different options available if you’re looking for a teeth whitening treatment in Singapore.

Why do teeth get stained or yellow in the first place?

Teeth stains develop gradually due to different reasons. Extrinsic teeth stains come from everyday habits such as drinking coffee, tea, or red wine. These stains occur on the outer layer of the tooth, or the enamel, and are often treated with routine cleaning or teeth whitening.

Intrinsic teeth stains develop deeper in the tooth, often from medications, old dental treatments, or past injuries. These are harder to remove and may require alternatives, such as dental veneers that can permanently change both colour and shape.

That’s why every teeth whitening treatment at Dental Designs Clinic begins with a consultation. It’s a chance to see what whitening can realistically achieve. This ensures you find the right treatment without unnecessary detours or expenses.

Do teeth whitening treatments really work on stained teeth? If so, how?

At the heart of every teeth whitening product is one key ingredient: peroxides, usually hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. These bleaching agents contain oxygenating compounds, which will penetrate the enamel and break down stain molecules into harmless water and oxygen. This will leave your stained teeth looking noticeably lighter, brighter and refreshed.

When it comes to teeth whitening, not all methods are created equal. Over-the-counter (OTC) kits such as teeth whitening strips use very low concentrations of peroxide. In Singapore, they’re capped at just 0.1 percent hydrogen peroxide. That means they might not have the strength to achieve noticeable results.

For real, visible change, professional teeth whitening at a dental clinic makes all the difference. Professional-grade whitening gels contain much higher concentrations of peroxide. They’re typically around 30 percent or more. But they are carefully applied under dental supervision to ensure safety and effectiveness.

In fact, Singapore’s Health Sciences Authority strictly regulates these products, allowing only registered dentists to use or supply gels stronger than 0.1 percent. This is why professional teeth whitening treatments in Singapore deliver brighter, longer-lasting results on stained teeth compared to OTC kits.

Which teeth whitening treatments do you offer in Singapore?

At Dental Designs Clinic, we offer a curated teeth whitening treatment called the Whiten+ system. It consists of professional teeth whitening gel that adheres to Health Sciences Authority (HSA) standards – brightening your smile without harming enamel or gums.

Every smile is unique and every goal is different. That’s why our teeth whitening treatments in Singapore are personalised to suit your needs. If you want quick results, an in-clinic whitening session with a high-strength whitening gel lasting just one to two hours may be recommended.

Prefer gradual whitening over a few weeks for a special occasion? A combination of in-clinic treatment followed by a take-home professional whitening kit could be the right fit. The take-home kit even comes with a custom tray made in the clinic’s in-house lab, often ready for collection on the same day (instead of the typical two-week wait!).

These custom whitening trays are a world apart from over-the-counter options. For example, they include small areas called dosing dots – something you won’t find in OTC trays. These dots help apply the precise amount of gel to each tooth, preventing overuse that can lead to teeth sensitivity or gum irritation. These are some of the most common side effects of whitening. By controlling the gel application ever so carefully, custom trays minimise discomfort while delivering even and effective results.

Walk us through the Whiten+ teeth whitening treatment for stained or yellow teeth.

Your whitening journey at Dental Designs Clinic begins with a consultation, where our team helps you make an informed choice among four distinct whitening packages designed to suit your goals, preferences and budget.

All options under the Whiten+ programme begin with a full dental scaling and polishing, followed by Airflow ProphyJet stain removal. This removes surface teeth stains and sets the stage for an effective whitening result.

During the treatment, a protective gingival barrier keeps your gums safe from the whitening gel. Meanwhile, a topical fluoride gel is applied afterwards to strengthen teeth and reduce sensitivity. It’s a carefully designed process that ensures your gums stay comfortable and your teeth stay strong and resistant to future stains.

To keep your smile bright long after your visit, we also offer a custom take-home whitening kit. It comes complete with everything you need: pre-treatment cleaning toothpaste, professional-grade whitening gels, a custom tray, desensitising gel and a case to keep your trays safe and clean.

During the treatment at our clinic, you can snuggle under a blanket and watch a show on the ceiling-mounted TV. The entire teeth whitening experience is relaxing and enjoyable.

How long do results last?

One important thing to know is that teeth whitening isn’t permanent. Teeth stains or yellow teeth can return, especially if coffee, tea or wine are still part of your daily routine. With good care, results may last from months to years, but natural changes in tooth colour will still happen over time.

That’s why our team of dentists also discuss alternatives such as dental veneers during consultations. Veneers are thin covers placed on the front of teeth, offering a permanent change in both colour and shape, and they’re a popular option for those seeking a longer-term solution.

But natural changes will still occur. Enamel thins a bit more with age, for example. If you keep up good habits and use touch-ups or take-home kits, you can stretch out how long your brighter smile lasts.

A bit more about Dental Designs Clinic

Dental Designs Clinic has three centrally located branches in Singapore and a multilingual team fluent in Russian, Japanese, Spanish and Cantonese, helping both locals and expats feel understood and at ease.

If you’d like to dive deeper into the topic of teeth whitening, check out their Before & Beyond series on YouTube. It features real patient stories and gives a behind-the-scenes look at how dentists approach each case. For more everyday dental tips, tune in to The Bite Angle Podcast, hosted by the clinic’s team. Both are free, accessible online and a great way to feel more informed and confident about starting your whitening journey.

• Raffles Place branch: Level 3, The House of Eden Singapore, 4 Robinson Road
• Cecil branch: #01-01B Keck Seng Building, 133 Cecil Street
• Orchard branch: #12-05 Wisma Atria Office Tower, 435 Orchard Road

6221 8284 | WhatsApp 8200 9092 | dentaldesigns.com.sg
Book online

To make the most of living in Singapore, read our latest City Guide here for free!

Liked this article about why teeth become yellow and Dental Design Clinic’s teeth whitening treatment in Singapore? You can also check out our Health & Fitness section for more.