Are your teeth naturally yellow? There are different reasons for tooth discoloration, but if you have teeth that are a shade of yellow, little of what you do to whiten them will make a difference. Some people struggle with yellow teeth without understanding why nothing’s working. The good news is that even naturally yellow teeth can be whitened, and kept white, if you understand the causes behind tooth discoloration.
Why are some teeth naturally yellow?
By now, you probably know that certain lifestyle choices can lead to your teeth staining. Drinking coffee and tea, poor oral hygiene, and smoking are among the top lifestyle choices that lead to tooth discoloration.
But if you’ve adjusted your lifestyle and still struggle with yellow teeth, chances are the problem isn’t staining.
When teeth are naturally yellow, the problem is usually deeper than that. Normal tooth staining is discoloration of the hard, outermost surface of your teeth. This layer is called the tooth enamel and it’s the hardest tissue found anywhere in the human body. Under the enamel, there’s a different kind of tooth tissue called dentin.
Dentin is typically a bit softer than enamel and is usually yellowish in color. If you’ve had no success trying to treat regular tooth staining, there’s a good chance that your dentin is yellower than most people’s. While your enamel isn’t extremely translucent, it still allows some of the yellowish color of your dentin to shine through. Discolored dentin could be caused by a variety of things including medications and your genes. Because dentin is the layer under your tooth enamel, having a thinner layer of enamel on your teeth will also cause the color of your dentin to shine through more clearly.
Why bleaching kits won’t work for you
If you have a problem with teeth that appear naturally yellow, no amount of bleaching will solve the problem. This is because bleaching kits, whitening toothpastes, and other home treatments for yellow teeth are only meant to bleach the enamel.
And while using a bleaching kits sparingly can help to whiten your teeth somewhat, you should be careful not to overuse them. When used too often, these kits can actually start to wear away your tooth enamel, which will only cause the color of your dentin to become more visible. Obviously, this will only worsen your problem rather than improving it.
Fact is, these kits can’t go beyond the outer layer of your teeth to bleach the discoloration of your dentin, so for some people, they make no difference in whiting the teeth at all.
How to whiten dentin?
Luckily there’s still a way to whiten your teeth, even if it’s your dentin that’s causing the yellowness.
Deep Bleaching is the most effective method to whiten any kind of tooth discoloration. The method seems to work well, even when your tooth discoloration goes beyond your tooth enamel. It’s also safer for your teeth than constantly using over-the-counter bleaching kits.
The benefit of deep bleaching is that it’s the most effective tooth bleaching method currently available. However, there are some drawbacks. For instance, deep bleaching is a process that can take more than two weeks to complete. During this time, you’ll have to wear whitening trays every night to help your teeth whiten. Apart from this, it can be difficult to know exactly how much whiter your teeth will be after treatment is complete. While some patients get superb results, others find that their teeth are only slightly whiter than before.
If you have any concerns about deep bleaching and you’d like to consult a dentist to discuss the procedure, feel free to call Dr. Stone’s practice to book an appointment. As a cosmetic dentist and prosthodontist, Dr. Stone uses the safest and most effective technology possible to get his patients’ teeth looking their best. That’s why he uses the KöR Whitening Deep Bleaching™ System.
FAQs
Luckily there's still a way to whiten your teeth, even if it's your dentin that's causing the yellowness. Deep Bleaching is the most effective method to whiten any kind of tooth discoloration. The method seems to work well, even when your tooth discoloration goes beyond your tooth enamel.
Can I whiten naturally yellow teeth? ›
Luckily there's still a way to whiten your teeth, even if it's your dentin that's causing the yellowness. Deep Bleaching is the most effective method to whiten any kind of tooth discoloration. The method seems to work well, even when your tooth discoloration goes beyond your tooth enamel.
How to turn yellow teeth to white? ›
Brush your teeth twice a day with a specialized whitening toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush. Floss once a day to clear away plaque and debris between teeth. Limit intake of foods and drinks known to discolour teeth, like tea, coffee, wine, and fizzy drinks.
Can badly yellow teeth become white again? ›
Yellow teeth can often be fixed with teeth whitening treatments. At Old Town Smiles, we offer our patients cutting-edge treatments that efficiently and effectively whiten teeth. After a treatment with us you will have a dazzling smile that is up to ten shades brighter!
What kills yellow teeth? ›
Using a paste made of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide is said to remove plaque buildup and bacteria to get rid of stains. Mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda with 2 tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide to make a paste. Rinse your mouth thoroughly with water after brushing with this paste.
How to get thicker enamel? ›
With the right oral hygiene and a remineralizing toothpaste, you can strengthen your enamel and fight acid erosion.
- Increase Saliva Production. ...
- Drink More Water. ...
- Use a Remineralizing Toothpaste. ...
- Chew Sugar-Free Gum. ...
- Eat a Remineralization Diet. ...
- Dodge Acidic Drinks.
Adult teeth will eventually lose their yellow shade, brightening and whitening over time. If your child's teeth are uneven in their coloring now because their permanent teeth are erupting, just give it some time. As long as they follow good oral hygiene practices, the color should even out into a white smile again.
How to whiten teeth in 2 minutes? ›
Baking-powder eliminates stains on the surface of your teeth and lemon juice as we already said has multiple components that lighten teeth. Just mix a teaspoon of baking powder and a teaspoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice and brush your teeth with the paste this mixture will work wonders in just two minutes.
How do people get their teeth so white? ›
As well as cosmetic dental treatment and teeth whitening procedures, people also get their teeth so white by avoiding food and drink that stains teeth yellow.
How to naturally unstain teeth? ›
Here are six ways for you to naturally whiten your teeth without the use of any harmful chemicals:
- First things first, brush your teeth regularly: ...
- Oil pulling: ...
- Brush with baking soda and hydrogen peroxide paste: ...
- Rub banana, orange, or lemon peels: ...
- Take a diet rich in fruits and vegetables: ...
- Go to the dentist:
Hydrogen peroxide is an effective bleaching agent that can whiten your teeth overnight. You may find it in many household items like mouthwashes and whitening strips. To use it, mix equal parts of 3% hydrogen peroxide with water, dip a cotton swab into the solution, then apply directly onto teeth for 1-2 minutes.
How to clean teeth naturally? ›
Seven Ways to Naturally Whiten Teeth
- Eat Strawberries. One of the simplest ways to naturally whiten your teeth is just by eating strawberries. ...
- Eat Plenty of Fruits and Vegetables. ...
- Brush After You Eat or Drink. ...
- Rinse with Apple Cider Vinegar. ...
- Apply Coconut Oil. ...
- Brush Your Tongue. ...
- Use Baking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide.
If you see celebrities with perfectly white, straight, and uniform-looking teeth, they likely have veneers. Unlike teeth whitening, veneers are more permanent. There are various types of materials used, but porcelain and composite are the most common types.
What makes teeth pure white? ›
Hydrogen peroxide is a mild bleach that can help to whiten stained teeth . For optimal whitening, a person can try brushing with a mix of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide for 1–2 minutes twice a day for a week.
What is the rarest smile? ›
The Complex Smile
This is the rarest of smile patterns, as only 2% of the population displays it. Here, the levator muscle of the upper lip and corners of the mouth, as well as the depressors of the lower lip, all contract almost simultaneously. Due to this, both upper and lower teeth are exposed simultaneously.
How do you get rid of yellow plaque on your teeth naturally? ›
How to remove plaque from teeth naturally?
- Brush regularly with baking soda. Baking soda is a natural abrasive that can help remove plaque from your teeth. ...
- Oil pulling. ...
- Use apple cider vinegar. ...
- Chew sugar-free gum. ...
- Salt and mustard oil massage.
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.
How are some people's teeth so white? ›
As well as cosmetic dental treatment and teeth whitening procedures, people also get their teeth so white by avoiding food and drink that stains teeth yellow.
How to fix one discolored tooth at home? ›
The patient should use 10% carbamide peroxide (CP) gel nightly for one – four weeks on the discoloured tooth. A reassessment with the dentist should be planned of the tooth colour.
