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 you whiten teeth that are naturally yellow? ›
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? ›
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 do I make my teeth pearly white? ›
Tips And Tricks For Keeping Your Teeth Pearly White
- Avoid Drinks That Stain Enamel. Coffee, red wine, and tea all have staining effects on the color of your teeth. ...
- Keep Up A Healthy Dental Hygiene Routine. ...
- Occasionally Use A Whitening Toothpaste. ...
- Avoid Smoking. ...
- Use An At-Home Whitener. ...
- Eat Your Fruit And Veggies.
Thankfully, yellow teeth aren't forever. Not only can your teeth be whitened, but you can also adopt habits that keep them looking good. Use this blog to learn about why teeth become yellow, how you can fix them, and what you can do to prevent future discoloration.
How to fix naturally yellow teeth? ›
The most obvious way to treat yellow teeth is to avoid habits that cause more discoloration and double down on proper oral hygiene. While you don't have to swear off coffee and red wine forever, make it a point to brush your teeth immediately after consuming them to avoid any potential staining.
Why won't my yellow teeth whiten? ›
If teeth whitening does not work for you, it might be because of the product you are using, the type of tooth stains or spots, or strength of the bleaching gel. Product type – Whitening toothpaste does not remove deeply embedded stains.
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 to make teeth whiter in 3 minutes without baking soda? ›
Rub banana, orange, or lemon peels:
To perform this “trick,” take a banana, orange, or lemon peel and gently rub it on your teeth. Keep rubbing it for about 2 minutes, then thoroughly wash your mouth and brush your teeth. The peels of these fruits contain citric acid, which theoretically helps in teeth whitening.
How do people get their teeth so white? ›
The most common approach dentists use for brightening teeth is professional teeth whitening. It entails bleaching teeth enamel to remove surface and intrinsic stains.
For your benefit, we've provided you with seven different ways to naturally whiten your teeth.
- Eat 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.
Overnight whitening products like strips, gels, and trays can lighten teeth. These magical concoctions often contain bleaching agents like hydrogen peroxide, breaking down stain molecules on your enamel's surface and leading to a noticeable improvement.
What food whitens teeth? ›
7 Foods and Drinks That Whiten Teeth and Improve Oral Health
- Strawberries. Strawberries have a high malic acid concentration often found in certain kinds of toothpaste. ...
- Apples, Celery and Carrots. ...
- Leafy Greens. ...
- Cheese. ...
- Sugar-free Gum. ...
- Water. ...
- Baking Soda.
You can turn your yellow teeth into white teeth, although how white depends on the extent of the stain and the treatment used. The best course of treatment to get whiter teeth is to seek a professional whitening treatment from your dentist.
Are yellow teeth healthy? ›
Non-White or Yellow Teeth are Unhealthy
This myth is peddled by firms which want us to spend a fortune on getting a perfect “movie star” smile. Although heavy staining and yellow plaque deposits aren't healthy, it's very possible for yellowish teeth to be absolutely clean and healthy.
Do people notice yellow teeth? ›
It's hard to determine how any one person would judge someone with yellow teeth. Some people might judge you, some might not, and others may not even notice!
Can you reverse really yellow teeth? ›
If the tooth discoloration is not severe, you may be able to reverse it just through the lifestyle changes explored earlier. If the tooth discoloration is severe, your options include: Veneers and bondings. Over-the-counter whitening agents.
Are naturally yellow teeth stronger? ›
A Science Focus writer even believes that slightly yellow teeth are stronger than naturally white ones, because it suggests a healthy amount of that vital tissue. Conversely, sometimes the yellow comes not from the dentin, but from plaque build-up.
Can you fix your teeth if they are yellow? ›
The most straightforward fix for yellow teeth is to have them whitened. There are plenty of whitening options but having a dentist whiten your teeth is likely to get the greatest improvement. A dentist can use stronger ingredients than if you were to buy a preparation over the counter.
Can yellow teeth be saved? ›
If you have stubborn surface stains that do not respond to brushing or other over-the-counter options, professional teeth whitening is an option. Professional teeth whitening options can remove several layers of surface stains from your teeth in a short amount of time.
