A smile is contagious–that’s not just a saying, but a scientific fact. Dental aesthetics has been shown to boost your self-esteem– fact again. Needless to say, a beautiful white smile helps, but a dirty, yellow one doesn’t.
That’s why you’re here, looking for answers to the million-dollar question: “Why are my teeth yellow? AND HOW CAN I FIX IT?”
We’ve identified five culprits and brought you some remedies. Let’s go.
Natural Ageing
Advancing age is a natural factor for teeth discoloration. Genetics plays a role in how fast it happens, too. With age, the outer layer of our teeth thins out, and that, in turn, reduces your teeth’ shiny white appearance, resulting in a yellower shade. Hence, the reason you lost those once sparkling and white teeth.
Faulty Diet
Certain foods tend to stain the teeth. Excessively consuming sauces, dark curries, black coffees, and other staining drinks tarnishes your enamel with tannins (food chemicals with blemishing properties). Their darker pigments called chromogens bind to your teeth resulting in tooth discoloration.
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Some teeth-staining foods to look out for are:
Sauces (e.g. soy/tomato)
Coffee/tea
Soda
Wine (red and white)
Fruit juices (e.g. grape/cranberry)
Blueberries
Smoking
Smokers are more prone to developing plaque- which can cause gum disease. The infected gums don't heal because smoking causes a lack of oxygen in your bloodstream - and you might end up in tooth loss.
Poor Oral Hygiene
If you don’t regularly brush, floss, and rinse enough to remove plaque and food debris, your teeth will remain unclean and yellow. Dirty teeth are a sign of carelessness and poor health because the toxic build-up can bring about other internal health problems.
Taking care of your mouth is a part of good overall health. Remember, your mouth is a window into the rest of your body.
Medications
Medications for high blood pressure, antipsychotics, and some antihistamine drugs have side effects that can alter the color of your teeth. Chemotherapy and head and neck radiation can also darken your pearly whites.
Exposure to Doxycycline and Tetracycline during the formative years of young children may have intrinsic staining of their adult teeth later in life.
Last on the list- Chlorhexidine in mouthwashes. Your teeth will get brownish stains from this cleaning agent when used for more than two weeks.
Preventive tips to prevent yellow stains on your teeth
Nothing beats a clean and healthy mouth. Do your part in brushing and flossing your teeth. Brush twice a day for two minutes. And floss once daily.
Visit your dentist regularly.
Get a professional cleaning from your dental hygienist every six months, or as recommended.
Cut back on the coffee or tea. Now that could be a challenge for many. Consider using a straw to avoid staining your front pearly whites.
Don't smoke or use tobacco.
Eat Calcium-rich foods. Dairy products and non-dairy calcium-rich foods contain minerals to strengthen your enamel. Healthy enamel means the inner layer of your teeth doesn't show- making them whiter in color.
Use fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride makes your teeth strong. It strengthens your enamel against wear and tear when eating acidic foods and beverages.
How to Get Rid of Yellow Teeth
There are two kinds of teeth stains: extrinsic (superficial stains on the outer layer of teeth, caused by coffee, tea, soda, etc.) and intrinsic (deeper stains beneath the enamel, on the tooth’s dentin–these are harder to remove).
For stubborn yellow and brown discoloration, here are five proven ways to help you get rid of those pesky stains:
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Whitening Toothpaste
How it works: The scrubbing action of the toothpaste’s abrasives helps remove the surface discoloration. It contains tiny granules or polishing agents that remove the stains on the outer layer of your teeth. Perfect for extrinsic yellowish staining!
Our recommendation:
Crest Gum and Enamel Repair Toothpaste
Whiter Teeth. Strong enamel. Healthy gums.
This toothpaste has got it all. Formulated with fluoride to make your teeth strong. Keep the compliments coming as you wear your new, healthy, and white smile.
Contains hydrated silica that lifts off surface stains -to make your teeth nice and bright.
Your gums will love this- clinically proven to help reverse gingivitis in seven days.
Spa-Dent VEGAN Whitening toothpaste
Spa Dent Whitening toothpaste with coconut oil and sea salt reduces the harmful bacteria in your mouth while making your teeth white. What's more, you will be delighted with its minty and pleasant flavors- and the promise of organic and preservative-free ingredients.
Whitestrips: Gentle At-home Teeth Whitening Kit
How it works: Whitestrips work both on surface stains and beneath the surface of the tooth. It goes beyond where most whitening kinds of toothpaste leave off and would give a whiter overall dazzling smile.
Our recommendation:
The strips mold to the unique shape of your teeth and come off with great ease. Use them just once a day for 30 minutes elevates your whiter smile to the next level.
It's very easy to use- apply the hydrogen peroxide-coated strips to the front of your teeth and let it seep into them to help remove stains and lighten the teeth.
Whitening Pen
How it works: Treat yourself like a painting and the whitening pen as a brush. Apply the gel with strokes and see the glow of your teeth.
Caliwhite Teeth Whitening Pen
Discover the ease of teeth whitening. Caliwhite whitening Pen makes your teeth white instantly- in 7 to 10 minutes. Paint it on your teeth and in between the crevices, and see the magic happens.
Certified organic- no worries about artificial ingredients
Contains Hydrogen peroxide -a chemical agent that is safe and effective in teeth whitening, that breaks down stains giving that shiny and white smile.
No parabens, sulfates, and GMO- only the real stuff for you
LED Light Teeth Whitening System
Want to wear those dazzling pearly whites longer?
Your best bet- The light-activated whitening system.
How it works: You need to brush and floss your teeth, as usual, apply the whitening serum while avoiding your gums and teeth, whiten using the LED mouthguard and rinse.
As simple as that!
Cali White Vegan Teeth WHITENING KIT with LED Light:
The VEGAN plus-side: You can ensure that you’re supporting cruelty-free production because no animal tests and harm are done.
Patented Universal Comfort fit Tray- allows the gel to fill crevices between teeth giving a uniform whitening effect on all teeth.
Sensitive Teeth After Whitening
Teeth slightly become dehydrated as the whitening agent opens up the pores of your teeth. When this happens, you may experience sensitivity to hot and cold drinks/food.
Try this Smile Brilliant Desensitizing gel to get moisture back to your teeth. It has Fluoride that gives instant and long-term relief after teeth bleaching. Double the relief with its Potassium Nitrate- help reduces discomfort by blocking the pain signals you may have.
That is one gel you want to get for a brighter and pain-free smile.
Facts About Teeth Whitening
Only natural teeth can be whitened, not fillings or dental restorations like bridges, implants, or crowns.
Carbamide Peroxide or Hydrogen Peroxide is the popular agent in teeth whitening and is proven to be readily absorbed by the hard dental tissue. Use with caution as they can result in some sensitivity and gum irritation.
Tooth whitening is safe and effective when consumers follow the manufacturer’s instructions, but results vary in some cases.
Parting Words
Yellow teeth can be attributed to a couple of reasons: age, faulty diet, smoking, poor dental care, and medications. You can overcome tooth discoloration by using the aforementioned teeth-whitening products and be more confident in social settings with your bright smile.
Remember that your overall oral health is also as important as having white teeth. So don’t just prioritize whitening strips and gels but take care of your entire mouth, too!
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