No one likes yellow teeth. But, with age teeth do become yellow as the enamel wears down and dentin, the calcified layer below the enamel gets exposed. If you are looking to whiten your teeth then several methods can be opted for to prevent yellowing. Many of these are home remedies and over the counter products. You can also go for dental procedures that can help reduce yellowing and give you a bright smile. But, before we talk about the solution let’s look at why one gets yellow teeth and how can one prevent it in the first place.
What are the causes of yellow teeth?
1) Genetics
If one of your parents has yellow teeth then it is likely that you would also have yellow teeth. Reddish-brown, reddish-yellow, reddish grey and grey are some of the other natural shades apart from yellow and white. The depth of the colour of teeth may vary from light to dark.
2) Age
Teeth ultimately turn yellow as one grows older. The enamel wears away from chewing and exposure to acids from food and drink. Teeth turn yellow as the enamel thins with age and the dentin below the enamel gets exposed.
3) Smoking
Nicotine from smoking causes teeth to become yellow and brown due to the stains from it. With a prolonged smoking habit, teeth gradually change colour. It's important to quit smoking if you wish to have whiter teeth.
4) Drinks
Alcohol, tea, and coffee contain substances which cause stains on your teeth and yellowing. These substances must be avoided or you can drink using a straw to prevent exposure to teeth.
5) Fluorosis
Fluoride is important for healthy teeth. But, excessive fluoride may cause yellow or brownish teeth leading to fluorosis. Fluoridated water, fluoride toothpaste or fluoride tablets may be possible sources of fluoride. You can consult your dentist on how to reduce the fluoride content in your diet.
6) Accidents
Accidents may cause wearing of the enamel and exposure of dentin thus leading to yellow teeth. Physical abrasion must be treated with a dentist's help and treated immediately.
Although yellow teeth are not as urgent a problem as other dental problems, nevertheless they may cause you to become less confident and conscious of your appearance. Hence it is important to tackle yellow teeth and know the various causes behind it. Similarly, it is much better to prevent yellow teeth rather than look for solutions later. Let us look at some of the ways in which we can prevent or delay the yellowing of teeth.
How to prevent yellow teeth?
If you have stains on your teeth that make your teeth look yellow then you can definitely fight back and look for solutions. There are certain preventive measures as well which you can take to avoid stains in the first place. Let’s look at some of the common measures.
- Avoid certain food and drinks.
It is advisable to avoid beverages such as coffee, tea, soda and wine. These can cause stains and make your teeth appear yellow. If you have the habit of smoking or chewing tobacco then it is advisable to avoid it not just for your overall health but also for your oral hygiene.
- Use a straw and drink more water
It may be difficult at times to avoid certain beverages. In such cases, you must either drink from a straw or drink more water. When you drink from a straw the liquid is less likely to cause stains on your teeth. Drinking water immediately after consuming certain beverages is a great way to get rid of stains and wash away the acids and stains, thus preventing discolouration.
- Maintain good oral hygiene
This is one of the most important steps. You must make brushing, flossing, mouthwash and tongue cleaner a part of your daily oral care routine. Following these basic practices will help you prevent discolouration in the first place. When you don’t follow these basic hygiene steps it causes a buildup of tartar and plaque, causing discolouration.
Remedies for yellow teeth
Yellow teeth are a very common dental problem that most people suffer from. There are several remedies that you can try to get rid of yellow teeth and discolouration. There are several home remedies as well as over the counter products and dental services that one can opt for in order to get a brighter smile. These procedures are affordable and can be availed at a dental clinic. A lot of teeth whitening products such as strips, gels and powders are also available in the market which can help you to get whiter teeth.
Whitening toothpaste and powders
Whitening toothpaste target the surface of your teeth with a variety of substances including abrasives. These could contain different agents such as baking soda, hydrogen peroxide or blue covarine. It may take up to 2-3 weeks for toothpaste to work and make your teeth a few shades brighter.
Perfora - Lavender Rose toothpaste
It's a soothing toothpaste made with chamomile, strawberry and cinnamon extracts - all of which help in making your teeth white. The toothpaste is formulated with sodium bicarbonate which is a safe and effective teeth whitening agent. The toothpaste is floral and sweet in taste with hints of mint giving you long-lasting freshness. The toothpaste also contains nano-hydroxyapatite which binds to the enamel by replacing minerals. This helps keep the enamel intact and your teeth white. The toothpaste is SLS free, vegan and cruelty-free with no artificial colours or sweeteners thus giving you an all-natural toothpaste with multiple benefits.
Perfora - Teeth Whitening powder
This teeth whitening powder in triple mint is the perfect solution for those looking to get whiter teeth. It is formulated with baking soda which naturally whitens teeth and diatomaceous earth that acts as an abrasive to remove plaque and tartar. Along with these ingredients, the powder also contains natural extracts such as triple mint and lavender oil. Triple mint is anti-bacterial and helps keep your mouth fresh. Lavender oil contains linalool which has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. Aloe vera extracts in the powder help relieve inflammation and prevent gum diseases.
Teeth whitening powder can be used by applying a pea amount of toothpaste and then dipping the brush in the powder. Brush gently for 2-3 minutes for best results.
Teeth whitening powders can be used up to 3-to 4 times a week.
Conclusion
There are several home remedies as well as over the counter products that one can consider for whiter teeth. Along with these methods, maintaining good oral hygiene is essential as it helps keep your mouth free from bacteria, plaque and stains. Daily brushing, flossing, and using a mouthwash and tongue cleaner are essential to building good oral health.