Do yellow, stained teeth make you too self-conscious to smile? It’s time to stop living in fear and smile confidently. You can take back control of your oral health and have whiter teeth with the help of whitening treatment and new lifestyle habits.
In this blog, we explain how you can achieve a brighter smile. We also explain what causes yellow teeth, so you know exactly what to avoid to prevent further teeth staining. Keep reading to learn more about how you can have a healthy, bright smile.
What Causes Teeth Stains?
Tooth discoloration can be caused by a variety of things, from the food and drinks you consume to your daily habits. Most people do not realize that their daily lives can actually be the culprit behind their discolored teeth. To help you better understand what causes teeth discoloration, we have compiled a list:
- Coffee
- Red wine
- Poor dental hygiene
- Pop/soda and other acidic foods
- Chewing tobacco
- Cigarettes
- Certain medications like blood pressure medications
How To Whiten Teeth
Now that you know what will stain teeth, it’s time to figure out how to whiten them.
1. Maintain A Good Oral Hygiene Routine
The first step to getting white teeth is to take care of your adult teeth. You need to practice good oral hygiene by brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing regularly.
Regular brushing will make removing surface stains simple because tannins will not have time to soak into the outer layer of your enamel.
For the best results we suggest you use whitening toothpaste when you brush your teeth.
2. Reduce Foods, Drinks and Habits That Cause Tooth Stains
Try to limit your intake of staining foods and drinks. We suggest swapping coffee for tea and red wine for white wine because they do not stain tooth enamel as much.
Similarly, you should reduce your tobacco use or quit smoking altogether. Not only will it be better for your overall health, but it will also make whitening teeth easier.
3. Take Advantage Of Teeth Whitening Treatments
If you want to visibly whiten yellow teeth, you will need to seek treatment.
While DIY whitening remedies like apple cider vinegar and baking soda may work, they may not offer the results that you desire. We suggest that you use at-home whitening products approved by the American Dental Association (ADA) or in-office treatments to whiten yellowing teeth.
Over-the-counter treatments
If you want to treat stained teeth at home, make a visit to your local pharmacy. Extrinsic stains (surface stains) can be removed with over-the-counter tooth whitening products like whitening toothpastes, whitening strips, and whitening mouth rinses or mouthwashes. Most can be incorporated into your daily routine, allowing you to complete extrinsic stain removal when it is convenient for you.
However, it is worth noting that teeth whitening products sold at pharmacies and other stores have a very low concentration of whitening gel or agents. That is why it takes approximately 2-6 weeks to see results from whitening toothpaste that is used twice daily.
In-Office Bleaching
While you can easily remove surface stains at home, removing deeper stains is much more difficult. Intrinsic stains (deep stains) are embedded in the dental hard tissues like tooth dentin, so they require much more work to remove. Thankfully, that doesn’t mean you are out of luck. In-office bleaching done by a dental professional can help remove intrinsic stains.
In-office whitening is a professional treatment done by a dentist and dental hygienist. It involves using a high-concentration bleaching gel and applying it to your teeth.
Professional tooth bleaching is a fast, effective cosmetic dentistry treatment for tooth discoloration. You can get rid of yellow stains and have noticeably whiter teeth in just one visit!
4. Visit The Dentist Regularly
Regular visits to the dentist are important for more reasons than one. Not only do they keep your teeth healthy, but they can actually help you have whiter teeth!
When you visit the dentist for a check-up, they will typically do a cleaning. Professional dental cleanings are in-depth versions of the cleaning that you are doing at home. But, they are exceptionally helpful for removing plaque and tartar, which, if left alone, can worsen tooth color and cause tooth decay and periodontal diseases.
Gum disease, gingivitis, and other diseases can harm your natural teeth, making them appear yellow. If it worsens, your dental health will be compromised, and teeth may need to be replaced with implants. Therefore, it is best to book regular dental visits.
Dr. Thapar is a highly skilled and passionate dentist who brings a wealth of experience and expertise to his practice in Toronto. With a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree specializing in Health Services Management from McMaster University’s DeGroote School of Business and a dental degree from the prestigious University of Toronto Faculty of Dentistry, he is dedicated to providing exceptional dental care to his patients.
During the initial years of his career, Dr. Thapar served under serviced areas in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), gaining valuable experience and contributing to improving oral health in underserved communities. Now, he is excited to bring his enthusiasm and commitment to excellence to the heart of Toronto in the St. Lawrence Market Neighborhood.
Dr. Thapar is a proud member of several esteemed professional organizations, including the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario, the Ontario Dental Association, the Academy of General Dentistry, and Omicron Kappa Upsilon (OKU) Tau Tau Chapter, which places him in the top 10% of graduating dentists of his class. Membership in these organizations reflects his dedication to staying up-to-date with the latest advancements in dentistry and providing his patients with the highest quality of care.
Beyond his professional achievements, Dr. Thapar is an avid sports fan, particularly supporting the Toronto Blue Jays and the Toronto Raptors. When he’s not in the office, he enjoys spending quality time with his wife and two children, creating cherished memories together.
With his exceptional qualifications, commitment to community service, and passion for dentistry, Dr. Thapar is dedicated to delivering personalized and compassionate dental care to the residents of Toronto. Patients can trust in his expertise and expect a comfortable and enjoyable dental experience under his care.