What do you do when the photographer starts to click the shutter of his camera? Smile wide, showing your pearl white teeth or still smile but without showing anything?
While you have mastered the art of the “no teeth” smile, don’t you think it looks more genuine and beautiful when your teeth are shown in the pictures?
There have been a lot of issues surrounding one’s teeth, such as crooked or missing teeth. However, there is one problem that affects millions of people today: yellow teeth.
Although it may seem harmless, having teeth that are dull and yellow can definitely affect your confidence and the way you deal with people. So it's not surprising that most
So if you want to learn how to get rid of yellow teeth fast and how to make yellow teeth white again, follow the methods outlined in this article, as there are some easy and effective methods you can use to brighten and whiten your smile.
You will find out why teeth turn yellow and discover the best methods to whiten your teeth, as well as ways to prevent them from going yellow once you have whitened them.
What Causes Yellow Teeth
Before you go through the different techniques to whiten your teeth, you need to understand their composition and the reasons why they become yellow. Each of your teeth is made up of four tissues:
- Inner dentin layer that is stacked horizontally like thin straws, which supports the enamel and carries the nerves. Also, dentin is responsible for the colour of your teeth.
- Hard outer enamel layer that protects the teeth. The enamel layer is made of hydroxyapatite crystals that form microscopic hexagonal rods. While it can provide protection for your teeth and prevent it from breaking easily, enamel is porous. This means the staining agents that come from various foreign materials and later on accumulates in your teeth can still find its way down into your tooth.
- The pulp that is located at the center of your tooth and contains blood and lymph vessels.
- Cementum or the tissue that covers the root of your tooth.[/thrive_text_block]
Food and drinks can directly stain the enamel and eventually break it down. When the enamel breaks down, the yellow dentin underneath will be revealed which results in your teeth look yellow.
The stains are harmless and are not a matter of life and death condition. However, your teeth will seem unattractive, which explains why the quest for ways to whiten teeth is endless. So what causes yellow teeth?
- Hard and colourful candies and sweets. Hmm, don’t you just love how it tastes? After all, sweets such as hard candies and milk chocolates are exactly what you need after that long, tiring day. No matter how good it feels after, unfortunately, hard candies and sweets in bright colours can contribute to yellow teeth. No, it’s not just because of its high sugar content. The amount of time spent by hard candies inside your mouth is what’s causing your teeth to become yellow. In fact, the longer these hard candies stay in your mouth, the more damage it can do to your teeth’s defenses. And yes, if it stains your tongue, then it will most likely stain your teeth.
- Brightly coloured fruits and vegetables. Uh-oh. This can be a problem. You have always heard that fruits and vegetables are essential to your body. In fact, you need to have at least three to five servings a day to meet the nutritional requirements your body needs. Apparently, some fruits and veggies such as beets, blueberries and pomegranates can make your teeth yellow. These fruits and veggies contain polyphenols, a strongly coloured compound that can lead to yellow teeth. Since it stains your tongue, yes, it stains your teeth too.
- Poor oral hygiene. Should this be explained further? Good dental hygiene is essential not just for your overall oral health but also to maintain your teeth’s colour. When you don’t brush regularly, stains from food and drinks such as tobacco, coffee and even brightly coloured fruits can develop into tartar. Once you allow tartar to build up on your teeth, this will lead to its yellow colour. There is a reason why your parents have always reminded you to brush your teeth regularly. It’s for your own sake.
- Smoking. Yellow teeth from smoking are the most common cause of stained teeth in people who smoke. Fine, this won’t come as a surprise. Since time immemorial, one of the major causes of yellow teeth is smoking. You already know how harmful it is not just to your lungs but also to your overall health. Aside from its negative effects, smoking can take a toll on your teeth too. Smoking or even chewing tobacco can leave obvious stains on your tooth’s enamel. At the same time, tobacco has tons of hard-to-remove staining agents that could affect your teeth’s colour. Sure, the effects may not show instantly but you will notice the yellowing of your teeth in no time.
- Sauces. Did you know that brightly coloured sauces such as curry and tomato sauce could have a negative effect on the way you smile? This is because brightly coloured sauces can easily attach to your teeth’s porous dental enamel. Yes, some foods taste better with condiments but f you really want to use sauces, then make sure to start your meal with green salads or steamed veggies since they are believed to create a protective layer on your teeth’s enamel and minimize staining.
- Sodas. And you feel this list is already punishing you, don’t you? Yes, sodas, colas and other sports drinks give you an instant boost especially after that night out with a friend. Unfortunately, these drinks have phosphoric and citric acids that could wear down your tooth’s enamel. Worse, the drinks’ ammonia-based caramel colouring is not exactly what you want to stay in your teeth for quite some time. Don’t argue with light-coloured sodas too. There may be a difference in colour but even drinks in lighter colours have high acid content, which is enough to damage your tooth’s enamel.
- Wine. They say a glass of red wine every day is okay. However, drinking wine comes with a price. Whether it is red or white wine, the bottom line is wine can also contribute to your yellow teeth. The truth is red wine is known for its teeth-staining capabilities, no thanks to its deeply coloured polyphenols and tannins. On the other hand, white wine contains tannins, which can also contribute to yellow teeth. It is also acidic in nature, which means a single glass over a period of time can already stain and damage the enamel.
- Fruit juices. Sodas, wine, sauces, sweets – what else is not on the list? Yes, those store-bought fruit juices. Fine, these are more acceptable than sodas and energy drinks but the effects can be the same: it makes your teeth yellow. Commercial fruit juices are acidic, causing your teeth to become yellow. Does this mean freshly squeezed fruits are okay and won’t cause yellow teeth? Not really. Fresh fruits juices are less acidic but allowing them to linger on your teeth a bit longer can still lead to yellow teeth. Make sure you have a glass of water after drinking juice.
- Your genes. Yes, you can blame your family members for having yellow teeth. If your mum, dad, siblings and even cousins have yellowish teeth, don’t be surprised if yours is the same. However, your genes do not define the colour of your teeth. In fact, it all boils down to the thickness of your teeth’s outermost layer. If the enamel layer is thin, then the more visible the yellow dentin will be, which explains why your teeth are yellow.
- Age. Fact: the aging process can be ugly. Sure, it is natural and everyone has to go through it. Apparently, with aging comes yellowing of the teeth. This is because as you age, the enamel’s outer layer becomes thinner and causes the dentin’s yellow layer to show up. Hence, the visible yellowish appearance.
There are many reasons why your teeth have the yellowish appearance but instead of worrying about it read on as I have some great solutions for you so you can find out how to whiten yellow teeth in no time. In fact, there have been a lot of teeth whitening procedures and products offered today that are safe to use.
Most bleaching methods use peroxide to get rid of the surface stains and eventually whiten teeth. Although most whitening gels contain carbamide peroxide, an equivalent of 3.6% hydrogen peroxide, there are no studies that show of its adverse effects or damage to the enamel of your teeth.
Still, every person is different. While the whitening gels may work for others, it does not follow that it will do the same for you. If you experienced tooth sensitivity or gum irritation, then take it easy on your teeth whitening quest.
How to Clean Yellow Teeth: The Different Ways to Naturally Whiten Teeth
Again, the possibilities are endless when it comes to how to whiten yellow teeth. However, if you are the type of person who loves Mother Nature and a believer of its power, then that’s okay. There are lots of natural ways to whiten your teeth – and you will even be surprised with how effective they are. And the good news is some of these home remedies for yellow teeth are cheaper, more convenient and can be found at the comfort of your homes.
Here are some tips and home remedies on how to whiten teeth naturally – and believe it or not, it really works.
- Baking soda One of the most natural and best way to whiten your teeth is by using a baking soda. In fact, a lot of experts agree that it is the safest and strongest at-home whitening ingredient and an acid neutraliser that gently removes the stains and prevents build-up in the enamel.
How to use it: If your toothpaste does not contain baking soda, dip your toothbrush into the baking soda. You can also mix lemon juice and baking soda and brush it on your teeth for whiter results.
A piece of advice – Do not brush your teeth with baking soda for more than once a week and do not let it sit on your teeth for more than a minute. Baking soda is abrasive, which means it can damage your teeth’s enamel if you are not careful. - Hydrogen peroxide Hydrogen peroxide is an antiseptic that can brighten your smile, thanks to its oxidising properties. At the same time, it is also an effective cleaner and effective teeth whitener that prevents the growth of bacteria. But for most whitening toothpastes, it usually contains carbamide peroxide that breaks down into hydrogen peroxide as the bleaching agent, and urea, that breaks the stain bonds into the teeth.
How to use it: Mix equal parts of hydrogen peroxide and water and gargle it for 60 seconds. Do this every day to prevent bacteria build-up that can cause bad breath and yellow teeth. You can also opt for peroxide toothpastes that are safe for everyday use.
A piece of advice – If you have sensitive teeth or existing gum problems, make it a point to consult a dentist. At the same time, do not hesitate to ask how long and how many times a day you should use peroxide to whiten teeth. - Strawberries Did you know that strawberries contain a natural astringent called malic acid, an enzyme that is present in some whitening toothpastes? Malic acid helps remove surface stains on your teeth to keep it white and clean. At the same time, strawberries contain vitamin C that prevents plaque build-up.
How to use it: You can either mash the strawberries or rub it on your teeth using a toothbrush. Let it sit for five minutes then rinse it well with water. - Dairy products One of the natural ways to whiten teeth is by adding dairy products such as milk, cheese and yogurt in your diet. Dairy products have lactic acid that reduces the risk of gum diseases and helps maintain your teeth. Cheese, in particular, has a lot of teeth whitening benefits. Eating a slice of cheese after a meal can prevent cavities and promote enamel re-mineralisation. This is because cheese and other dairy products have casein, a milk protein that makes your teeth’s enamel stronger.
How to do it: Add dairy products in your diet. And don’t forget to eat cheese after meals. - Back to basics If you really want to know how to whiten your teeth at home, then always remember this: brush and floss regularly. This is the best thing you can do for your oral health and to make sure that you maintain pearl white teeth. At the same time, good hygiene will reduce the risk of tooth decay and gum disease while making sure all the plaque is removed to prevent your teeth from turning yellow.
How to do it: Just brush your teeth at least twice a day or after every meal if possible. And make it a point to floss. Regular and proper flossing can remove stains in between teeth that can make your smile brighter.
Teeth Whitening: The Best over-the-Counter Treatments
Natural ways to whiten teeth can be really effective. However, the downside of this is the preparation. Imagine the process you need to go through like mashing the berries or mixing baking soda and lemon juice together before you can actually use it. They also take time to work and you need many applications to achieve any visible results.
The good news is there are over the counter products that are ready to use but can also deliver the same results: whiter teeth. Here is a list of some of the best treatments that can whiten your teeth.
- Whitening toothpaste This is perhaps the most convenient and readily available option that can whiten your teeth. It contains special abrasives that can gently polish your teeth and chemicals that can break down and dissolve the stains caused by smoking or drinking coffee. It usually takes two to six weeks before you can see whiter teeth. But if you use something with blue covarine, then expect a faster effect.
I recommend this toothpaste as it provides vitamin complexes and antioxidants to help strengthen teeth and gums. It is a formula with natural ingredients that help remove stains for a brighter, whiter smile. It doesn't contain any artificial colours, sweeteners, flavours or fluoride and you can buy it here.
- How to use it: Brush your teeth using whitening toothpaste twice a day. Keep in mind that although whitening toothpaste is safe to use, make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions on how to use it. Too much whitening toothpaste can damage your teeth’s enamel over time.
- Trays and gels Aside from whitening toothpaste, OTC trays and gels, or “boil and bite” system for some, have been in the market for quite some time. Although it is one of the effective ways on how to whiten teeth at home, it will still take weeks before you can see an improvement. At the same time, users say they felt increased sensitivity due to the breakdown of carbamide peroxide gel.
How to use it: Heat the tray, then fill it with gel. Place the formed tray in your mouth and let it stay for a while to prevent the whitening oxygen from escaping.
A piece of advice – take it easy on this method. There are other effective methods that can whiten your teeth without soft tissue irritation and pain brought by trays and gels. - Whitening strips Did you know that whitening strips are only 10 years old? Yes, it was only 10 years ago when experts found out a way to produce hydrogen peroxide on a polyethylene strip which you can directly stick on your teeth. Whitening strips come in various shapes, thickness and different levels of hydrogen peroxide that is most suitable to your needs. If you want somewhat faster results, then this can be your best option.
How to use it: Simply place the strip on your teeth and let it stay in there for a few minutes. However, make sure not to burn your fingers when you stick the strip. Also, place the strip carefully on the teeth, NOT on the gums to prevent irritation. - Paint-on teeth whitening Another new product that can help you in your quest for whiter teeth is paint-on. It involves painting a peroxide-based gel on the surface of your teeth, one tooth at a time, using an applicator brush. Once applied, the gel will solidify and form into an “invisible” film. However, paint-on does not prevent the whitening oxygen from escaping, which is why it will take months before you see the results.
How to use it: Targeting one tooth at a time, apply the paint using an applicator brush. This should be done twice a day, taking at least 30 minutes of your time, if you want to see results. The good thing about this method is that it targets the teeth, thus avoiding contact with the soft tissues in your mouth.