Yellow teeth are a common dental problem that any person of any age can struggle with. The yellowing of teeth has a number of causes that we’ll discuss in detail in the following article. Some of the causes include age, diet, habits, and genetics.
Yellow teeth are almost always reversible except with genetic staining, in which case there are other treatment options to consider. Without further ado, let us discover the best professional and at-home treatments for yellow teeth.
4 At-Home treatments for yellow teeth
Because the pigmentation of teeth tends to happen gradually, people only notice once the pigmentation is deep. In this case, your first instinct is to find ways to correct the discoloration at home for trivial costs. So, if this is what you want, and although we do not recommend this, here are some of the least harmful options for at-home treatments.
You should always remember that correcting yellowing teeth at home will always carry a risk to your enamel. A lot of the whitening recipes tend to have abrasive or acidic elements that can wear down your enamel. Any damage to the enamel is irreversible, so you really need to be careful.
It is always best to have a professional address your concerns because they will know how to achieve the results you want without any risks.
1- Brush your teeth
Yellowing teeth can be the result of plaque build-up. When we neglect to brush our teeth for a long period, food particles continue to build up. This, in turn, creates the perfect environment for bacteria that can feed on the food stuck in your teeth. After a while, a bio-film develops which then leads to the yellowing of your teeth.
Committing to a healthy dental hygiene routine can significantly help with yellow teeth that are the result of poor oral hygiene. While you will not see the results you want right away, with consistency you will see a huge improvement.
2- Use baking soda
Plaque buildup and bacteria don’t go well with baking soda. Aside from having antibacterial properties, baking soda can also erase stains.
But you should note that baking soda can only remove staining that is on the surface. The elements that comprise baking soda cannot penetrate the pores of the enamel. So at best, you can couple baking soda in your daily oral care routine to remove and avoid bacteria and plaque.
You should use baking soda as a paste and there are two methods to doing this.
For one, you can mix some baking soda with your toothpaste and brush your teeth with that. The other option is to make a mixture of one tbsp of baking soda with two tsp of water and brush your teeth with that mix. Make sure to properly rinse your mouth after this.
3- Use coconut oil
4- Lemons and vinegar for yellow teeth
Acids from lemons, citrus fruits, and vinegar can penetrate the enamel, but they can also dissolve it. We recommend patients don’t experiment with acids to treat yellow teeth because they lead to permanent dental problems.
However, if this is the approach you want to opt for, then you can dissolve 2 tsp of acid or lemon squeeze in 6 ounces of water. Then you can use this as a mouthwash, where you should not swish the wash around for more than 30 seconds. Carefully rinse your mouth with water, preferably cold to shrink the pores, and then brush your teeth Then rinse with water and brush your teeth.
We advise that you make this a night-time routine to make sure you do not consume any staining foods or products after this routine.
What causes yellow teeth?
A number of factors can cause yellow teeth. As we mentioned above, the number one cause of yellow teeth among young adults is improper oral hygiene.
Other factors include diet and habits. Smoking and consumption of foods and drinks that are staining will eventually dim your smile over time. Common drinks that have a reputation for developing yellow teeth include:
- Coffee
- Red wine
- Tea
Another factor that causes yellow teeth is age; as we get older, our teeth get more yellow. In addition to the above, we have the genetic factor. Some people naturally have darker teeth than the average.
Professional dental treatments to fix yellow teeth
In the case of genetics and deep stains, at-home treatments for yellow teeth will simply not work. Likewise, even subtle pigmentation responds better to professional sessions without posing any risks to your enamel.
1- Professional teeth whitening
Professional teeth whitening is typically a short procedure that efficiently targets stains on the surface and underneath the enamel. In-office teeth whitening uses a hydrogen peroxide paste that your dentist will apply to your teeth.
Hydrogen peroxide is a bleaching agent and to activate it, your dentist exposes it to blue light for around 30 mins give or take. The elements in the hydrogen peroxide paste can penetrate the enamel and break down the stains underneath it.
The procedure does not damage the enamel or gums, it is entirely safe and can dramatically whiten your teeth. The results are long-lasting if you avoid the habits that caused your teeth to yellow.
Teeth whitening is the best treatment for yellow teeth that are not genetic. Otherwise, you should look into the second option.
2- Veneers for yellow teeth
Veneers are another great option for yellow teeth, and unlike professional teeth whitening, the results of teeth whitening with veneers last as long as your veneers do.
Veneers are thin shells of porcelain or composite resin that look exactly how the facade of teeth does. After filing down your teeth, your dentist places the veneers on your teeth eclipsing all your smile mishaps including discoloration.
Because it uses an artificial cover-up, this treatment can transform any smile and numerous dental problems including genetic staining.
Cost of treatment for yellow teeth
| Procedure | Turkey | UK | USA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Porcelain Veneers(1 unit) | $270 – $370 | $1,300 – $1,700 | $2,000 – $2,500 |
| Lumineers (1 unit) | $420 – $520 | $900 – $1,200 | $1,500 – $2,000 |
| Composite Veneers (1 unit) | $120 – $200 | $450 – $600 | $800 – $950 |
| Teeth Whitening | $600 – $700 | $800 – $900 | $900 – $1,500 |
The Takeaway
To avoid yellow teeth, you need to maintain efficient oral hygiene, avoid the consumption of staining foods and beverages, and avoid smoking. But even then, our teeth will yellow with age, in which case, you should seek professional help to reverse the problem.
At-home remedies for yellow teeth may work their magic, but there is also the risk of permanently damaging your enamel or gums.
For any inquiries, contact our dental specialists at Dentakay. Our team will address all your concerns in a FREE 15-minute online consultation.
