Are you concerned about your oral health because your teeth aren’t pearly white? Many people believe that having yellow teeth could be a sign of poor oral hygiene. Surprisingly, there is nothing wrong with your oral health if your teeth are slightly yellowish.
Enamel is the top most surface of every tooth and is characterized by a natural hue of white. The underlying dentin layer, however, has a slightly yellowish color. Considering that the enamel has some translucent properties, the yellowish dentin will show in almost everyone.
What Are The Causes Of Yellow Teeth?
As a rule of thumb, anything that can stain white clothes can also stain your teeth. That’s why red wine, dark-colored foods and beverages, chocolate and dark sauces, and curries can discolor teeth. Also, some fruits and vegetables such as blueberries, grapes, cherries, pomegranates and beets have the potential to stain teeth.
These foods are high in chromogens or pigment-producing substances that adhere to the enamel. Acidic foods can promote staining by eroding the enamel, making it easier for the dentin to show and pigments to latch onto your teeth. Since wine and tea contain tannin, a bitter compound that contains chromogens, they can also contribute to yellowing.
How To Prevent Your Teeth From Becoming Yellow
If you are looking to whiten the yellow teeth, it’s quite hard to know where to begin. With so many options available, choosing the right remedy can be overwhelming. The following remedies can prevent your pearly whites from turning yellow:
Brush Your Teeth and Floss Frequently
The greatest culprit of yellow teeth is food and beverages. Since you can’t stay away from daily feeding, the best thing to do is to brush your teeth. Make it a habit to brush your teeth at least twice a day with toothpaste. In between meals, always floss to get rid of little pieces of food that may have gotten stuck in your teeth or gums. This way your mouth is clean around the clock.
However, avoid brushing immediately after eating acidic foods and drinks. Rinse the teeth with cold water first to prevent the acids from eroding your enamel.
While brushing, ensure that you get into all of the crevices and cracks. Brushing your teeth lightly in a circular motion helps to protect your gums. Remember to brush the internal and surfaces of your teeth with whitening toothpastes that contain mild abrasives to scrub and remove the surface stain.
Avoiding Certain Foods
Avoid consuming foods and drinks that stain your teeth such as tea, coffee, and red wine. If you choose to consume these beverages, do not forget to brush or rinse your mouth immediately. Good oral hygiene not only involves brushing the teeth, but also being wary of substances that can harm your teeth.
Besides foods, smoking cigarettes can also discolor your teeth permanently. Although some stains are easy to remove, cigarette smoking results in darkening of the teeth. To date, no home remedy can remove these stains, meaning that you have to visit the dentist.
Consider Touch-Up Treatments
Even if you maintain good oral hygiene, your teeth can slowly develop yellow plaques over time. Remember that as you age, these plaques become harder to remove. Only a professional dentist can remove them without weakening your enamel.
Touch-up treatments are especially vital for people who smoke. Since you cannot avoid consuming the stain-causing beverages, you must schedule an oral exam every year. Some treatments are more effective than others and your dentist can propose the remedy that works best for you.
Ways You Can Whiten Your Teeth
Once you have decided to invest in a brighter smile, there are lots of options to consider. From conventional treatments to home remedies and rinses, there are many ways to bid goodbye to yellow teeth. No matter your plan of action, it’s always good to consult an experienced dentist before embarking on a whitening program.
Use Baking Soda And Hydrogen Peroxide
While baking soda and hydrogen peroxide can be abrasive, they are gentle enough to be safe. Using toothpastes that contain these compounds can prevent plaque buildup as well as stains. You can make your paste by mixing 2 tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide with 1 tablespoon of baking soda.
Even if you are using the conventional toothpaste, using this remedy as a mouthwash can maintain your white teeth. Avoid using higher concentrations of hydrogen peroxide as it can be extremely corrosive. Although this remedy is very effective, you must be careful if you want to avoid damaging your teeth.
Coconut Oil
Most people are turning to coconut oil in the quest to whiten their teeth. Coconut oil removes bacteria and plaque from the mouth, which escalates the whitening process. Ensure that you shop for organic coconut oil that doesn’t contain any harmful ingredients.
Hold 1 to 2 teaspoons of the coconut oil in your mouth for 30 minutes. The coconut oil should not touch the back of your throat. Neither should you swallow it as it contains lots of toxins and bacteria from your mouth.
Apple Cider Vinegar
You require very small amounts of apple cider vinegar to whiten your teeth. Make your custom mouthwash by mixing 6 ounces of water with 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar. Swish the mouthwash for 30 seconds and then brush your teeth.
Many people prefer apple cider vinegar due to its bleaching properties. However, it can weaken the enamel of your teeth since it is quite corrosive. Ensure that you dilute the vinegar as the concentrated solution can be harmful.
Lemon And Orange
Lemons and orange contain citric acids that can help to white yellow teeth. Citrus fruits contain d-limonene that eliminates the yellow layer if rubbed across the surface of your teeth. After rubbing the solution on your teeth for 2 minutes, ensure that you rinse your mouth thoroughly and brush the teeth afterward.
Nowadays, you can shop for toothpastes that contain d-limonene. These toothpastes help to remove the stains caused by smoking and tea. Using this remedy for 4 weeks can significantly whiten your teeth.
Professional Teeth Whitening
A professional dentist can perform a whitening procedure that involves applying a bleaching agent to your teeth. Some of these bleaches work hand in hand with lasers to enhance their performance. A dentist can decide whether you need one or a combination of treatments depending on the condition of your yellow teeth.
