Are your pearly whites not that white anymore? Yellowing of teeth is generally a slow process and can easily be overlooked. Read the simple 8 tips for gleaming teeth.
While it may be disheartening and confidence-shattering to feel that you've lost your best accessory -your bright white smile, the good news is -you can get it back! Be aware of what causes yellowing, and how you can avoid or limit exposure to those things.
Are you ready for Gleaming Teeth?
#1 Brush properly:
Lack of oral hygiene due to improper or inadequate brushing causes yellow teeth. If the teeth aren't bushed twice a day with the proper strokes, plaque is deposited. Over time plaque tends to calcify into a hard structure known as calculus. Plaque and calculus both have yellow color.
Tip: Brush at least twice a day using proper tooth brushing strokes.
#2 Avoid dark beverages:
Dark colored beverages like tea, coffee, sodas and red wine if taken too often can cause staining of the teeth. These stains initially cause yellowish discoloration which can later also become dark brown or black.
Tip: Always rinse your mouth with water after taking any of the beverages. Also you can decrease the frequency of consumption of these beverages.
#3 Brush Gently:
The outermost layer of a tooth is white. The inner layer called dentine is yellow in color. Thinning of teeth can be due to multiple reasons including:
Aging
Rubbing rough materials against teeth like salt, tobacco or tooth powder
Brushing using a hard brush
Brushing with a very strong force
Consuming large quantities of acidic substances like biting on lemon against the front teeth
Tips:
Use a soft/ medium bristled tooth brush.
Use correct brushing strokes.
Always use a toothpaste and not tooth powder.
Limit the consumption of acidic substances
#4 Stop smoking:
Smoking causes staining directly. It causes thinning of the teeth as well which make the teeth look yellow.
Tip: Isn't it obvious! Stop smoking.
#5 Are you on medication? Consult a dentist:
Certain medications, such as the antibiotics doxycycline and tetracycline, can darken the teeth of infants if taken by pregnant women or children younger than 8 years old. Some anti allergy medicines, drugs for high blood pressure and antipsychotic medications can also stain adult teeth.
Tip: Discuss any such potential side effects of the medications you are currently, or may start taking, with your physician.
#6 Avoid mouthwash:
Certain mouthwash, mainly those containing Chlorhexidine can cause staining if used for an extended period of time. Mouth washes should not be used regularly on a daily basis. Proper brushing and flossing is adequate to maintain good oral hygiene.
Tip: Avoid using mouthwash unless necessary. In case of using Chlorhexidine mouth wash, discontinue its use after 2 weeks for at least a week.
#7 Get teeth whitened:
It also may be possible that you inherited enamel that is more yellow than that of other people whose genes differ. Sometimes the enamel is thin from birth and the underlying yellow dentine can be seen giving the tooth a yellow colour
Tip: Whitening can be used at times to improve the color of teeth.
Whiten my teeth
#8 Damaged teeth? You need a dentist:
If a single tooth appears to be darker than the remaining teeth there is a high chance that the tooth was damaged due to falling or some other impact. If a tooth faces a strong force the vessel inside the pulp (the center of the tooth that contains blood vessels and nerves)get damaged and bleed into the dentine and enamel. The blood in the dentine over time becomes dark in color giving the tooth a dark appearance.
Tip: Whenever there is an impact on the face ask an expert. Later treatments involve placing of bleaching agents inside the tooth.
For initial treatment of yellow teeth you might need to talk to the dentist for the most suited treatment option. Smile with confidence and show the world your gleaming teeth every time you smile.