Best Smile Forward

Standfirst: Yellow teeth is a pesky problem that’ll affect your smile. We have the lowdown on what causes it and how to regain your pearly whites!

Whether you’re laughing at a friend’s joke or smiling for a cute selfie, you’re sure to look your best when you’re at your happiest!

Still, being insecure about your smile can easily dampen your spirits, whether it’s stubborn food stains that won’t go away, or yellowed teeth that just aren’t bright enough.

So, we’ve rounded up a few ways to lighten your teeth and keep them healthy!

What Causes Yellow Teeth?

There are a number of reasons why your teeth might be yellow, from lifestyle habits to genetics.

It’s important to identify the cause of your yellow teeth, so you can get to the root of the problem and unlock a brighter and healthier smile!

Unhealthy Lifestyle Habits

If you have these unhealthy habits, they might be to blame for unsightly stains on your teeth.

Smoking is a major contributor to yellow teeth, as nicotine leaves yellow or brown stains on your teeth.

Plus, if you don’t diligently brush, floss, and rinse regularly, plaque and tartar can build up on your teeth—all the more reason to maintain your dental hygiene!

Food and Drinks

You should also be looking out for foods that might stain the surface of your teeth.

Tomatoes, curry spices, and berries are just some of the foods that contain pigment that can stick to teeth’s enamel.

Other common culprits include drinks like coffee, tea, and wine. Watch out for drinks with artificial flavouring as well, such as soda and sports drinks.

Genetics and Age

Still can’t figure out what might be causing the stubborn stains on your teeth?

Unfortunately, your teeth might just be on the yellower side due to genetics, as some people have thicker and whiter enamel layers on their teeth, while some inherit more transparent enamel.

Age is another factor to consider, as teeth eventually become more yellow as you grow older. The enamel of your teeth will inevitably wear away over time, from chewing food and being naturally exposed to acids in your meals.

So, if your teeth are healthy overall, a slight stain is no cause for concern!

Still, whether you’re aiming for cleaner and stronger teeth, or want to lighten your teeth for aesthetic reasons, we’ve got a variety of teeth whitening solutions for you.

How to Reverse and Prevent Yellow Teeth

Good Dental Hygiene Habits

The easiest way to prevent or reverse yellow teeth is to maintain good dental hygiene!

Brushing your teeth twice a day is a common habit, but for maximum cleanliness, you might also want to brush your teeth right after meals.

This is especially important after consuming certain foods and drinks that have the potential to discolour your teeth, like coffee, beetroots, and red wine.

You can also try out whitening toothpastes to clean and lighten your teeth at the same time.

Look out for toothpastes with ingredients like activated charcoal, baking soda, and hydrogen peroxide. These are stronger than standard toothpaste and help remove food stains and reduce yellowing.

Plus, if you can’t give up beverages like soda or iced coffee, try drinking through a straw!

This prevents the liquid from coming into contact with the front of your teeth, reducing the possibility of your favourite drinks leaving visible stains.

Home Remedies To Try

There are a few easy ways to lighten your teeth with household items, perfect for those who don’t want to spend exorbitant amounts on clinical treatments.

However, while these home remedies are easy and affordable, do note that there isn’t a significant amount of research supporting the efficacy of these methods.

So, if you want to try them out for yourself, make sure to use them in moderation to avoid accidentally damaging your teeth!

Firstly, it’s believed that citrus peels can help to whiten your teeth because of the chemicals found in these fruits, such as citric acid.

You can try rubbing lemon, orange, or banana peels on your teeth for around two minutes, before thoroughly rinsing your mouth and brushing your teeth.

Another natural ingredient to try is coconut oil, which is said to remove plaque buildups in order to whiten your teeth.

Swirl one or two teaspoons of high-quality organic coconut oil in your mouth for a few minutes, before rinsing normally. Make sure not to swallow the oil or let it touch the back of your throat, as it contains bacteria from your mouth!

Lastly, you can get rid of stains by creating a paste with one tablespoon of baking soda and two tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide.

Brush your teeth with this paste, or create a mouthwash with baking soda and water to eliminate bacteria and plaque from your teeth.

Beauty Products and Professional Treatments

To get whiter teeth, you can also turn to professional methods, whether it’s through tried-and-tested whitening products or beauty treatments at the hands of an expert.

For over-the-counter solutions, you can try out whitening strips and kits, which contain whitening agents like hydrogen peroxide.

These ingredients react with compounds that cling to your teeth and create stains, breaking them down chemically to reduce their appearance.

Go for trusted brands that test their products thoroughly, and use them in moderation, to reduce damage to your teeth.

You can also head to a dentist or aesthetician for professional solutions to yellow teeth! These experts often use methods such as LED lights, teeth whitening trays, or even veneers, to give you whiter teeth.

However, keep in mind that there’s usually an element of chance with teeth whitening treatments, as everyone’s teeth will react differently.

Plus, if you’re going for multiple whitening sessions, aim to space them out, in order to avoid drying out your teeth.

Try out these solutions for yellow teeth now, and make sure to keep your teeth strong and healthy!