Are Yellow Teeth Ruining Your Smile?
For some of us, it's never easy to smile, especially when you know you have yellow teeth. It's true that not having a white smile can rob your confidence and because of that you could find yourself covering up your smile as often as possible.
Have you been covering your smile in pictures and social gatherings due to having yellow or stained teeth?
In today's article, we are going to let you know how to get rid of some of those nasty stains in your teeth and some of the reasons why this happens. You will also learn how to avoid having yellow teeth.
Why Do I Have Yellow Teeth?
Most people with yellow teeth ask themselves the same question.
"Why?"
It's very important for you to know that having yellow teeth can happen for many different reasons. Underneath your teeth enamel, lies yellow-colored dentin. When your teeth enamel begins to wear down due to age, illness, or other causes yellowing will happen.
Teeth can also get more yellow with age and it might even be related to genetics. Genetics can play a big role in the yellowing of teeth. Some of us are born with thinner enamel than others, so there are certain genetical traits that can affect the color and appearance of our teeth.
Other illnesses like Jaundice or infection are responsible for weakening the enamel on your teeth and can lead to yellow teeth. There are two types of injuries that can happen in young children that can disrupt the formation of healthy tooth enamel. We know of two types of dental stains: Extrinsic and Intrinsic.
Extrinsic Stains
Extrinsic stains are the ones that occur on the surface of the tooth or in other words on top of the tooth enamel. The outer surface of the tooth is called the enamel and here is where most of these superficial types of stains are most easy to remove.
Some of the most common cause of extrinsic stains are:
- Smoking
- Coffee
- Tea
- Red wine
- Tobacco products.
Nicotine, tar, and other numerous chemicals found in tobacco products cause yellow teeth. A good way to know what type of food or products can potentially stain your teeth is to ask yourself this very basic question, "Will this stain my clothes?" If the answer to this question is YES, these substances will most likely cause discoloration in your teeth.
Chromogens are substances that produce pigments and stain your teeth when these get stuck on your teeth enamel. The tooth enamel can also erode when you consume foods high in acid. Another compound called tannin usually found in wine and teas can also erode tooth enamel.
Intrinsic Stains
Stains that happen on the inner part of the teeth are called Intrinsic stains and these types of stains tend to be much more difficult to remove. Medications like antibiotics in young children can discolor their teeth and causing Intristic stains in their teeth. It usually discolors young kids' teeth into a more brownish color.
Babies can also have discolored teeth if their mothers took tetracycline while they were pregnant or breastfeeding. (Tetracycline and Doxycycline) can cause discoloring if the teeth in young children. An ingredient found in prescription strength mouth wash called chlorhexidine can lead to tooth discoloration.
Fluoride, an ingredient known for strengthening tooth enamel and prevent erosion can discolor your teeth when used excessively. Excessive use if Flouride can cause Fluorosis causing wite streaks or even brown spots on your teeth. Fluorosis happens when the water has too much Fluoride in it.
Silver fillings can lead to intrinsic stains in teeth.
How To Avoid Yellow Teeth
The number one rule to avoid yellow teeth is to stop smoking and using tobacco products immediately. Avoid coffee, teas, and sodas. If you can avoid consuming coffee, teas, or sodas you can also try drinking them through a straw to lessen direct contact of acids with your teeth. Adding milk to coffee and teeth can also reduce the acidity of these substances.
Needless to say that brushing and flossing your teeth on a daily basis will be the best way to prevent yellowing and erosion in your teeth. Drying of the mouth or lack of saliva can also cause plaque on your teeth. Your mouth should create enough saliva to remove any foods away from your teeth.
How To Reverse Yellow Teeth
Most preventative measures won't reverse yellow teeth. So if you or a loved one has yellow teeth there are a couple more steps needed in order to get your teeth back looking better than they ever did.
Brushing & Flossing
As stated above proper mouth hygiene is the number one step in order to get rid of yellow teeth and avoid other dental problems in the future. You should brush your teeth twice a day and floss once a day. A whitening mouthwash can also help keep your teeth clean.
It's also very important to visit your dentist twice a year. A dentist can leave your mouth cleaner than you could ever do at home. A dentist can also catch serious problems before its too late.
Yellow Teeth Natural Remedies
There are several options that you can try if you decide to try natural methods for whitening yellow teeth. Altho these methods haven't been clinically or scientifically proven, many people swear by them.
Most common natural methods:
- Baking Soda
- Oil Pulling
- Hydrogen Peroxide
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Eat Fruits
- Turmeric
- Charcoal
Professional Teeth Whitening
Hands down the best way to achieve the cleanest and brightest smile are to book a professional teeth whitening procedure with your dentist. No one but your dentist can make your teeth brighter and whiter. This procedure can be costly and the average cost is $1,500 dollars.
TADSmile Teeth Whitening Kit
The TADSmile home teeth whitening kit is a few steps better than trying any natural home teeth whitening procedures. The TADSmile Teeth Whitening Kit is not only safer but also uses clinically proven ingredients to whiten your teeth. TADSmile uses the same dental-grade ingredients that you could normally see at your dentist's office.
Our teeth whitening kit is highly recommended by top dentists. You can whiten your teeth at home with only 10 minutes a day for 6 days. So no visiting the dental office or paying thousands of dollars for teeth whitening.
Other Resources:
TADSmile Teeth Whitening Kit Review