Teeth yellowing overtime is a common concern from many people and can also affect self-esteem and social life. Do you ever feel self-conscious about your smile due to yellowing? Do you wish you had whiter, brighter teeth that make you look more confident and attractive? If you answered yes to any of these questions, the good news is this article is a great place to start on your journey to whiter teeth.
But what causes teeth to yellow in the first place? And what can you do to prevent it or reverse it? In this blog post, we will answer these questions and share some tips to help keep your teeth pearly white.
What Causes Teeth to Yellow?
There are many factors that can contribute to teeth yellowing, such as:
- Age: As we get older, our enamel (the outer layer of the tooth) thins and exposes the dentine underneath (the inner layer of the tooth), which is naturally yellow. This makes the teeth appear darker and duller over time.
- Diet: Certain foods and drinks can stain the teeth, such as coffee, tea, wine, berries, curry and tomato sauce. These foods and drinks contain pigments that can adhere to the enamel and cause discolouration.
- Smoking: Tobacco products contain tar and nicotine, which can leave brown stains on the teeth. Smoking also reduces the saliva flow in the mouth, which can lead to plaque and tartar buildup and further staining.
- Medications: Some antibiotics, antihistamines, blood pressure drugs, and chemotherapy drugs can affect the colour of the teeth. These medications can interfere with the development of the enamel or cause it to darken.
- Poor Oral Hygiene: Improper or Irregular brushing and flossing can allow plaque and calculus to build up, which can make your teeth look yellow and dirty.
Our Top Tips to Prevent Teeth Yellowing
The good news is that there are some simple steps you can take to prevent your teeth from yellowing or slow down the process, such as:
- Brush and Floss daily: This is the first and most important step to keeping your teeth clean and healthy. Brushing and flossing can remove food particles, plaque, and stains from the teeth and prevent them from accumulating. You should:
- Brush your teeth at least twice a day, preferably 30 minutes after meals
- Floss at least once a day.
- Use a fluoride toothpaste and a soft or medium-bristled toothbrush to protect your enamel and prevent cavities.
- Rinse your mouth: After consuming foods or drinks that can stain your teeth, you should:
- Rinse your mouth with water or mouthwash (without chlorhexidine) to wash away the residue and prevent it from sticking to your teeth.
- Chew sugar-free gum to stimulate saliva production, which can help neutralise acids and wash away bacteria.
- Avoid or limit staining foods and drinks: If you want to keep your teeth white, you should:
- Avoid or limit your intake of foods and drinks that can stain your teeth, such as coffee, tea, wine, berries, curry and tomato sauce.
- Use a straw, sip water along with them, or brush your teeth 30 minutes afterward to minimise the contact with your teeth.
- Quit smoking: Smoking is one of the worst habits for your teeth and your overall health. Quitting smoking can not only improve the appearance of your teeth, but also reduce your risk of oral cancer, gum disease, tooth loss, and bad breath. If you need help to quit smoking, you can consult your doctor or dentist for advice and support.
- Visit your dentist regularly: You should visit your dentist at least twice a year for a checkup and a professional cleaning. Your dentist can examine your teeth and gums for any signs of problems and treat them before they worsen. Your dentist can also remove plaque and calculus from your teeth and polish them to remove surface stains and make them shine.
Not sure about flossing? Watch our ‘How to’ video on flossing!
By incorporating these practices into your daily routine, you’ll keep your teeth healthy, bright, and strong for years to come!
How to Whiten Your Teeth?
If you are unhappy with the colour of your teeth, or they’ve already yellowed, these are Dr. Arnold’s Top 3 methods to restore their brightness:
- Use a Whitening Mouthwash or whitening toothpaste
- These not only freshen breath but also contain whitening agents to maintain brightness.
- Professional Teeth Cleaning
- A scale and polish with a dentist or hygienist to effectively remove staining.
- Professional Teeth Whitening
- Professional teeth whitening with your dentist is our favourite method as this is the safest, fastest and most effective to whiten your teeth.
Teeth Whitening at Lancashire Smiles Dental
If you are looking for a reliable and reputable dentistry in Lancashire that offers teeth whitening services, you should choose Lancashire Smiles Dental. Here are some reasons why:
- We have a team of experienced and qualified clinicians who can provide you with teeth whitening.
- We use a 3D scan to manufacture custom-made whitening trays to ensure the safety and effectiveness of our teeth whitening procedures.
- We provide a consultation and smile assessment to evaluate the condition of your teeth and recommend the most suitable teeth whitening option for you.
- We guarantee the quality of our teeth whitening services, and we will follow up with you to ensure the longevity and maintenance of your results.
Check out our ‘Teeth Whitening with Dr Arnold’ video on YouTube.
Get Yourself Booked In
If you are ready to transform your smile and boost your confidence with teeth whitening, you can book an appointment with Lancashire Smiles Dental today. on 01772 342929 or fill out our online smile assessment form. We look forward to hearing from you and helping you brighten your smile.
Thank you for reading our blog post, and we hope you found it helpful and informative. If you have any questions or feedback, please leave a comment below, or contact us directly. We would love to hear from you. And don’t forget to share this post with your friends and family, and to subscribe to our blog for more dental tips and tricks.
