A bright, white smile is often considered a sign of good health and vitality. However, many people struggle with yellowing teeth, which can affect their self-confidence and cause concern about their oral health. If you’ve noticed that your teeth have become more yellow over time, you’re not alone. Teeth discolouration as it is officially known is a common issue, but the good news is that there are steps you can take to address it. In this blog post, we’ll explore the causes of yellow teeth, how to lighten them and when it might be time to seek professional help for oral health or cosmetic help.
What causes yellow teeth?
Teeth can appear yellow for a variety of reasons, and understanding the cause of discolouration is the first step in determining how to improve the appearance of your smile. Here are some of the most common causes of yellow teeth:
- Poor oral hygiene: Neglecting to brush your teeth or floss, or generally failing to keep on top of your oral hygiene will lead to a build-up of plaque and tartar which will cause your teeth to look dull or yellow. When plaque isn’t removed, it hardens into tartar which can stain teeth over time.
- Staining foods and drinks: Some foods and beverages can stain your teeth, penetrating the enamel and staining the dentin underneath. Coffee, tea, red wine, berries, and sauces with dark pigments are all common culprits that can lead to yellowing.
- Smoking and tobacco use: Nicotine and tar from tobacco products can leave yellow or brown stains on your teeth, similar to the stains they leave on fingernails.
- Ageing: Unfortunately, just getting older will mean the enamel on your teeth will wear down revealing the yellowish dentin underneath your tooth surface.
- Genetics: Even if you brush your teeth every day and maintain good oral hygiene, your teeth can appear discoloured on the basis of your genetics. If your teeth are naturally more translucent or thin, the dentin underneath may be more visible.
How to get rid of yellow teeth and stains
There are several ways to address stained teeth to get your yellow teeth white once again, ranging from simple at-home remedies to more advanced professional treatments.
- Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and floss once a day to prevent plaque from building-up and staining your teeth.
- There are a range of whitening toothpastes on the market which contain mild abrasives or chemicals designed to lift surface stains without changing the natural colour of your teeth.
- Reducing your intake of food and drinks which are known to discolour your teeth such as coffee, tea and wine, can all help to prevent further staining. If you do continue to consume these items, then be sure to rinse your mouth with water afterwards.
- Cut down on smoking and tobacco products.
- Natural remedies like baking soda and activated charcoal can also help to whiten teeth at-home.
These at-home options are often the first line of defence against yellowing teeth. By adopting good oral hygiene habits, using whitening products and cutting back on staining foods, you can often see an improvement in your smile.
When should you seek professional treatment?
If your yellow teeth are not responding to at-home treatments or if they are causing you significant concern, it may be time to consult with your dentist. Professional cosmetic dentistry treatments can provide more dramatic results, and your dentist can guide you on the best course of action based on your individual needs.
- If over-the-counter whitening products or home remedies aren’t working, professional whitening treatments may be more effective.
- If your teeth are not whitening evenly, a dentist can help achieve a more uniform result.
- If your teeth are severely stained or yellowed due to tobacco use, ageing or medications, a dentist may recommend stronger treatments, such as in-office teeth whitening or veneers.
- If your yellowing is caused by underlying dental issues such as cavities, gum disease or enamel erosion, it’s important to address these issues first before pursuing cosmetic treatments.
Professional whitening treatments are ideal for more stubborn or severe discolouration. As qualified cosmetic dentists in the Walsall area currently accepting new patients, our team is on hand to help you achieve a smile you can be proud of – so don’t hesitate to get in contact online.
Treatment options for discoloured teeth
Dentists can offer a variety of professional treatment options that can help restore the brightness of your teeth to get them looking and feeling healthy once again.
- Teeth whitening: Professional teeth whitening involves applying a powerful bleaching agent directly to your teeth, providing fast and dramatic results in just a single visit to your dentist.
- Dental veneers: If your teeth are severely stained and not responsive to whitening treatments, dentists may recommend veneers which are thin shells of porcelain that cover the front of your teeth to provide a bright, natural-looking smile.
- Composite bonding: During dental bonding, a brighter, tooth-coloured resin can be applied to your teeth which is then shaped and polished to provide a more natural look.
- Air polishing: A thorough cleaning from your dentist with the proper tools such as an airflow polishing tool, can help clean away stubborn tartar while also polishing your teeth surface.
If yellow or discoloured teeth are affecting your confidence or overall smile, it’s important to seek professional advice to determine the best solution. At Cheslyn Hay Dental Practice, our team can assess the cause of your staining and recommend the most effective treatment, whether it’s a professional whitening procedure, take-home whitening kits or even veneers for more severe cases.
We are here to help you achieve a brighter, healthier smile with personalised care. Get in touch with us for expert advice and treatment at our practice in Walsall by booking an appointment online or calling us on 01922 214 702.
What to do if you have another common dental issue?
Are you dealing with another common dental issue and unsure of the best treatment? We’ve explored the causes, preventative tips and treatment options for some of the most common dental problems, which you can read all about. Browse the list below to explore our informative blog posts on each topic.
Don’t let dental issues hold you back from enjoying a healthy, confident smile – explore our resources today to learn more about the best treatments and how to maintain optimal oral health.
