What causes yellow teeth?
Over time, our teeth can become discolored and turn yellow due to a variety of factors. The most common causes of yellow teeth include:
- Food and drink: Coffee, tea, red wine, and other foods and drinks can stain your teeth over time, leading to a yellowish discoloration.
- Tobacco use: Smoking and chewing tobacco can cause teeth to yellow as tobacco smoke and juices contain pigments that can penetrate the enamel.
- Poor oral hygiene: Not brushing and flossing regularly allows plaque and tartar to build up. This can lead to staining and yellowing.
- Trauma: An injury or blow to a tooth can damage the dentin underneath, resulting in a yellowish discoloration.
- Medications: Some antibiotics like tetracycline can cause teeth discoloration if taken by children whose teeth are still developing.
- Aging: As we age, the outer enamel layer of our teeth gets thinner, exposing more of the yellowish dentin underneath.
So in summary, stains from food and drink, tobacco use, plaque buildup, enamel damage, some medications, and normal aging can all contribute to a yellowing of the teeth over time. Practicing good oral hygiene and avoiding staining foods can help prevent discoloration.
How do you get rid of yellow teeth?
If you already have yellow teeth, there are several methods you can use to whiten your smile:
Over-the-counter whitening products
The easiest and most affordable option is to use over-the-counter teeth whitening products. These contain mild bleaching agents like hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide in concentrations less than 10%. They are available as whitening strips, gels, rinses, toothpastes, and more.
Using whitening strips for 30 minutes twice a day can lighten teeth by up to 7 shades over 2 weeks. Whitening rinses can take up to 12 weeks to see results. These methods are ideal for minor stains but take longer to brighten significantly yellowed teeth.
Professional whitening treatments
For more dramatic results, you can get professional whitening done at your dentist’s office. This involves using a higher concentration of peroxide gel, between 15-35%, along with heat or LED light to accelerate the bleaching.
With in-office treatments, your dentist can whiten your teeth by up to 10 shades in one hour-long visit. However, it is expensive, costing between $300-$1000 per treatment.
At-home whitening kits
Your dentist can also provide customized take-home whitening trays and a higher concentration peroxide gel to use at home. This allows you to whiten your teeth conveniently over 1-2 weeks at a lower cost than in-office visits. On average, at-home whitening costs around $400-$800.
Other whitening options
There are also some other natural ways you may be able to remove stains and yellow discoloration, including:
– Baking soda and lemon juice: Make a paste with these kitchen ingredients and gently rub it on your teeth. Rinse thoroughly afterward.
– Apple cider vinegar: Gargle with diluted ACV for a minute or two, then rinse. The acetic acid can help remove stains.
– Strawberries: Smash some ripe strawberries and rub them on teeth. Let sit briefly before rinsing. The vitamin C and malic acid can whiten.
– Hydrogen peroxide: Gently swish diluted 3% hydrogen peroxide around your mouth. Make sure not to swallow any.
– Activated charcoal: Brush teeth with activated charcoal powder. It is abrasive so don’t scrub aggressively.
Tips for preventing future yellowing
Once you’ve succeeded in whitening your teeth, you’ll want to prevent the yellowing from recurring. Here are some tips:
Brush and floss thoroughly
Make sure to brush at least twice a day, in the morning and before bed. Brush for 2 minutes each time, and be sure to brush all tooth surfaces – front, back, top, and tongue. Floss daily as well to remove plaque from between teeth. This prevents tartar buildup and staining.
Limit staining foods and drinks
Coffee, tea, red wine, berries, tomato sauce, and dark sodas can all stain your pearly whites. Limit consumption and drink them with a straw to reduce contact with teeth. Rinse or brush after to prevent staining compounds from setting on enamel.
Drink plenty of water
Stay hydrated by drinking water throughout the day. This produces more saliva to naturally wash away food particles and neutralize acids that corrode enamel.
Use whitening toothpaste
Choose a toothpaste designed for whitening that contains additional polishing or chemical agents to help prevent stains. Brush twice daily with it.
Avoid tobacco
Smoking and chewing tobacco will lead to fast re-yellowing, so quit tobacco use for the health and appearance of your smile.
Get dental cleanings
See your dentist for regular professional cleanings every 6 months. This allows them to remove hardened plaque and stains from your teeth and brighten your smile.
When to see a dentist
While the above methods can generally improve mild discoloration, severely yellowed teeth may require professional dental treatment. You should see a dentist if:
– Whitening products don’t improve the color after 2 weeks of use
– Stains are localized to one tooth or area of your mouth
– Your teeth are extremely sensitive after using whitening products
– Yellowing is accompanied by other dental symptoms like pain, swelling or spots on your teeth
– You have fillings or crowns that get stained around the edges
– You notice any changes in your tooth color
Your dentist can check for underlying causes of severe yellowing and provide solutions like dental bonding, porcelain veneers or tooth extraction. They can also prescribe prescription-strength whitening gels to safely and effectively brighten your smile.
Conclusion
While aging and daily habits can stain your teeth over time, it is possible to reverse years of yellowing with various whitening techniques. Using over-the-counter or dentist-supervised bleaching products helps brighten your smile by a few or even ten shades.
You can also try some natural stain removers and be diligent with oral hygiene to prevent future discoloration. However, severely yellowed teeth may need professional dental treatment for the best, longest-lasting results. Keep up healthy brushing and whitening practices so you can proudly flash a white, vibrant smile for years to come.
| Whitening Method | Cost | Treatment Time | Shades Brightened |
|---|---|---|---|
| Over-the-Counter Strips/Gels | $10-$100 | 1-4 Weeks | 2-7 Shades |
| Professional In-Office | $300-$1000 | 1 Hour Per Visit | Up to 10 Shades |
| Custom At-Home Trays | $400-$800 | 1-2 Weeks | 4-8 Shades |