Is your smile stained, yellow, and a source of embarrassment? Don’t worry—you aren’t alone, and your situation isn’t hopeless! Many people are saddened by the state of their smiles, but fortunately, cosmetic dentistry can offer many solutions that are certain to whiten your pearly whites and get your smile back on track. Keep reading to learn more about some of the common causes of yellow teeth and what you can do to whiten them safely and effectively.
What Causes Yellow Teeth?
There are many things that can cause your teeth to turn yellow, but some of the common factors include:
- Age – As you grow older, your tooth enamel wears and becomes thinner, which allows the yellow-colored dentin underneath to become more visible.
- Genetics – Sometimes you can inherit yellow teeth through certain genetic conditions.
- Diet – Certain foods and drinks like red wines, berries, coffee, and tea contain tannins, which are staining agents that can easily discolor your teeth.
- Smoking – Smoking is notorious for causing all sorts of oral health problems, including stained teeth.
- Excessive fluoride exposure – Sometimes too much of a good thing can be bad! Fluoride is good for your enamel, but too much fluoride exposure can lead to fluorosis and discolor your teeth.
- Poor oral hygiene – This is one of the leading causes of stained teeth, yet it’s entirely preventable! Simply not brushing and flossing your teeth can lead to yellow discoloration.
How Can I Effectively Whiten My Teeth?
Luckily, there are many ways to effectively whiten your teeth, regardless of how they became stained! Although it’s important to keep in mind that everybody’s individual circumstances differ, and some patients will find success with certain methods that other patients won’t have success with. That said, there are typically two main methods offered by your dentist that are certain to whiten your teeth:
- In-office whitening is carried out by your dentist at their office. Your dentist has access to special tools and whitening agents that are stronger than anything you can buy at the store. They’ll be able to polish your teeth in a matter of minutes, removing any visible stains and giving your smile a new vibrant glow that’s fully visible within a week or two.
- Your dentist can also send you home with a whitening kit containing everything that you’ll need to whiten your teeth. The kit contains special whitening gels and custom-made trays that allow you to whiten on your schedule whenever it’s convenient. The best part? The results are the same impressive quality as in-office whitening!
Don’t settle for a stained smile! Your pearly whites are one of the first things that people will notice about you, so knowing that your smile looks its absolute best will help you to navigate through life with confidence and ease. If you’re ready to do something about your yellow teeth, talk with your dentist about their available teeth whitening options.
About the Author
Dr. Nelson Howard proudly serves patients and families in the Rancho Bernardo area! Dr. Howard received his dental doctorate from the UCLA School of Dentistry and is an Accredited Member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. His practice is pleased to offer several available services including cosmetic dentistry options like teeth whitening. If you have any questions about the article or would like to schedule an appointment, feel free to visit Dr. Howard’s website or give him a call: (858) 258-9790.