Your smile is the first thing people notice about you. But you may be self-conscious about it, and perhaps a yellow shade on your teeth bothers you. Fortunately, in this article, we’ll be talking about how to get rid of yellow teeth – there are many options available, and all of them can help brighten your smile.
Why Do I Have Yellow Teeth?
First of all, let’s talk about what causes yellow teeth in the first place.
Sometimes, you might have yellow teeth to begin with – teeth come in various natural shades that are passed on to you genetically. If any one of your parents has teeth that are a certain shade, you’re likely to inherit that characteristic. This is perfectly normal, and you might want to have a whiter shade even if your teeth are otherwise healthy.
However, teeth also turn yellow for other reasons. The outermost enamel layer is what gives teeth their characteristic translucent sheen. Underneath that is the dentin layer that can range from yellow to a brownish hue. As you age, the enamel layer can wear out due to the wear and tear of chewing, as well as exposure to acidic foods and beverages.
But the teeth can also become stained, and this is the most common reason for yellow teeth. Coffee, tea, and wine can stain teeth, as can soda and drinks with artificial flavoring. Lots of foods contain pigments that can stain your teeth as well.
Worst of all, smoking and tobacco use leave distinct yellow-brown stains on the surface of your teeth. Other causes include antibiotics like tetracycline that can permanently stain teeth and conditions such as bruxism that cause continual wear of the teeth, causing more dentin to show through the enamel layer.
How To Get Rid Of Yellow Teeth
Fortunately, there are many safe and effective ways to get whiter, brighter teeth.
- Make dietary changes. Avoiding staining foods such as coffee, tea, and wine – or simply moderating their intake – can go a long way to reduce and prevent deeper staining.
- Quit smoking and tobacco use. The chemicals in tobacco smoke and tobacco products produce heavy staining on and around the teeth.
- Use an off-the-shelf whitening kit. Many whitening kits are available at your local pharmacy or drugstore and can remove stains and even whiten your teeth using safe bleaching agents. It’s a good idea to consult a dentist before you use one, though.
- Maintain good oral hygiene. Brushing and flossing regularly not only controls plaque and bacteria buildup but also removes stains from the teeth. Use fluoride toothpaste and brush twice a day with a soft brush.
All that said, there is one surefire way to guarantee results when it comes to whitening your teeth.
Conclusion: How To Guarantee Results
When it comes to how to get rid of yellow teeth, the best way to do so is to get a professional whitening treatment at a dentist’s office. They have the expertise to determine how much whitening you need and how much is realistically possible. Dentists can also tailor your treatment to your individual requirements to ensure you get the shade you’re looking for and have access to special tools that can give you a radiant smile.
This post is brought to you by Dr. Vesna Arezina, DDS, your best family dentist in Houston, TX. With over 20 years of experience, Dr. Arezina prides herself on providing exceptional service, performing general, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry procedures. The clinic also provides emergency dental care and is bilingual to serve all members of our community with comfort and care. We’ll be happy to see you! For any questions or to schedule an appointment, please call us at (281) 469-7469.