Can yellow teeth become white again? Yes, they can! We all want that dazzling Hollywood smile, and if your teeth aren't up to scratch, it's hard to feel confident in yourself.
Fortunately, there are plenty of ways you can make your teeth light and shiny again.
You can opt for professional whitening sessions with your dentist, choose from over-the-counter products, or try natural remedies. There's something for everyone who wants to whiten their teeth!
In this article, we’ll discuss:
- The reasons why your teeth turn yellow
- Proven methods for whitening your teeth
- Some tips for keeping your teeth whiter for longer.
Let’s dive in!
Reasons for Yellow Teeth
There are lots of reasons why your teeth might be yellow!
Simple lifestyle choices like the food you eat and the way you brush your teeth have a big impact.
It can also be outside of your control, due to aging or genetics. Let’s discuss a few of the potential causes:
You Don’t Look After Your Teeth Properly
How you look after your teeth has a big impact on the way they look and feel.
Not practicing good dental hygiene can lead to a buildup of bacteria and plaque, which doesn't make anyone feel good!
When left unattended, plaque can stain your teeth as well as feeling gross in your mouth.
Plaque forms into tartar—calcified deposits—as long as it stays on the teeth. Teeth discoloration and staining can occur as a result of plaque accumulation and tartar accumulation.
At Boka, we believe that health starts with your mouth. Feeling good about how you brush your brush is the key to a healthy mind.
You Drink or Eat Products That Can Stain Your Teeth
Avid coffee drinker? Unfortunately, coffee is one of the many drinks that can stain your teeth.
Others include colas, wine, cranberry juice, and tea. Certain foods can also cause staining on your teeth. Things like blueberries, beets, soy sauce, and tomato sauce are all teeth-staining foods.
Consuming these regularly without washing your mouth out afterward can lead to permanent stains. So, think again before you reach for that second cup of coffee!
Smoking Tobacco
Tobacco use is another big cause of teeth staining. Smoke from tobacco can stain your teeth a nasty yellow-brown color.
And if you’re also lacking in the dental hygiene department, smoking only exacerbates your dental issues.
Smoking on a regular basis causes teeth to get darker and more yellow discolored stains that may penetrate into the enamel.
Aging and Genetics
Some people are lucky and are naturally born with thicker enamel. This means their teeth are whiter and brighter for longer!
However, if you have less enamel, you'll find just the opposite.
Whatever the case, genetics do play a big part in how your teeth look – especially over time.
As you age, the enamel on your teeth starts to wear down – exposing the dentin underneath which has a more yellowish color. This unfortunately makes your teeth appear yellower, even if you take good care of them!
Some Medical Conditions Can Discolor Your Teeth
Some diseases can change the appearance of your teeth. Dental issues affecting the enamel or dentin of your teeth can cause discoloration.
Thankfully, going to your dentist for regular checkups is an easy way to avoid these issues.
Medications and Treatments That Can Stain Your Teeth
Finally, some medications can end up staining your teeth. Antihistamines, antipsychotic drugs, and drugs for high blood pressure can change the appearance of your teeth!
This is due to the drugs reacting with the surface of your teeth, causing them to change color.
Undergoing chemotherapy and other radiation treatments can also affect the look of your teeth.
Commonly used antibiotics cause teeth to become discolored. Tetracyclines can be incorporated into calcifying tissues at the time of administration, which is one of their adverse effects. Both the primary and permanent dentitions can become discolored as a result of their capacity to chelate calcium ions and integrate into teeth, cartilage, and bone.
Another issue is mouthwash. While using mouthwash might be a regular part of your nightly routine, certain types can do more harm than good.
Watch out for ones that have chlorhexidine and cetylpyridinium in them, as using these too often can cause permanent staining to your teeth.
Methods for Whitening Yellow Teeth
There are lots of different remedies out there for whitening your teeth. From products you’ll find on the supermarket shelf to ones given to you by your dentist, there are plenty of options on the market!
Let’s dive into three of the main ways you can whiten your teeth:
Professional Teeth Whitening Treatments
One option you have is to go to your dentist directly to get your teeth whitened. However, we would recommend going to your dentist anyway to have a chat about what's right for your teeth.
Professional teeth whitening typically involves using high-strength whitening gels. These are applied to your teeth and work to bleach the stains away from your teeth.
They tend to have a high level of hydrogen peroxide which is known to make your teeth feel extra sensitive.
There are a few benefits to having your teeth whitened at the dentist’s. Firstly, the effect is immediate and lasts much longer than at-home products. This is due to the high concentration of peroxide, which rapidly whitens your teeth!
The other benefit is that your dentist can also give you other whitening products to take home.
You might be given things like gels and pastes to apply to your teeth to help lighten them. So, while going to the dentist might be scary and expensive, it is one of the quickest and easiest ways to achieve whiter teeth.
At-Home Teeth Whitening Kits
Another way you can whiten your teeth is with at-home whitening products.
These might be given to you by your dentist, or purchased at a supermarket or pharmacy. At-home tools can come in a few different forms:
Whitening toothpaste
One product you can use is to swap your normal toothpaste for a whitening one. These toothpastes are designed to target the surface of your teeth to help remove stains.
There are plenty of whitening toothpastes on the market with different ingredients.
You might be familiar with charcoal-based ones, or even low-strength hydrogen peroxide products!
You can also try Boka's own whitening toothpaste, which is fluoride and hydrogen peroxide-free!
This gives you the benefit of a cleaner and brighter smile without the painful chemicals.
Whitening strips
As the name suggests, whitening strips are strips that you can apply straight to your teeth.
Depending on the brand, you’ll have to leave them on your teeth for a set amount of time to achieve the desired effect. They work by softly bleaching your teeth, giving the appearance of a whiter and brighter smile.
If you’re worried about your sensitive teeth, you could try Boka’s teeth whitening strips!
These are specially designed for sensitive teeth and are non-toxic. They work to remove stains on your teeth while prioritizing your tooth sensitivity.
Whitening kits
You can also purchase kits that are designed to help whiten your teeth!
These typically include a whitening gel and a mouthpiece to help keep the gel on your teeth. The gel breaks down stains on your teeth, giving them a cleaner and whiter feel.
Some whitening kits might also come with an LED light. This helps to enhance the process and gives you brighter and whiter teeth for longer.
Boka currently has a couple of different whitening kits on offer that use Phthalimido-Peroxy-Caproic Acid (PAP) to safely whiten your teeth.
Natural At-Home Remedies
When it comes to teeth whitening, there are plenty of myths floating around. You’ll hear lots of wives' tales about natural remedies that worked for one person.
However, studies have shown that natural remedies can be just as effective as over-the-counter products for whitening your teeth!
They also have the bonus of less harmful side effects that you might find when using whitening toothpastes and strips.
There are lots of scientifically backed-up ways you can lighten your teeth at home without breaking the bank!
Just keep in mind that you might not get the results you want as fast as you would with whitening products. To get the speedy results, we recommend trying one of the other options listed in this article.
Baking soda and hydrogen peroxide
Did you know that baking soda is a safe and effective product for whitening your teeth?
It can even be used daily to help give you speedy results!
However, the real magic comes when it’s combined with hydrogen peroxide. Studies have shown that when used together, you can achieve whiter teeth in around six weeks.
You can make a paste of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide by using a 1:2 ratio.
Then, simply apply it to your teeth and brush as normal for around 2 minutes! The benefit of using these two together is they can remove plaque buildup, helping to lighten and brighten your smile.
Coconut oil pulling
Another natural remedy involves swirling oil around in your mouth like mouthwash. This ancient Indian folk remedy is a proven way to clean nasty buildup in your mouth!
There are currently no studies that prove that coconut oil pulling can whiten your teeth.
However, studies have shown that the practice can remove plaque buildup. This has the overall benefit of keeping your teeth cleaner for longer.
Other whitening ingredients
Evidence also suggests that acidic ingredients like lemons can have a whitening effect on your teeth similar to hydrogen peroxide.
Did you also know that strawberries also have a mild whitening effect on your teeth? The more you know!
Reality Check: What to Expect and What Not to
If you want to whiten your teeth, it’s important to be realistic about the results you’re going to get.
Using whitening products once won't whiten your teeth straight away! Therefore, don’t get too excited about starting the process if you’re not in it for the long haul.
It’s important to have realistic expectations when it comes to whitening your teeth. Some treatments that work well for others might not work well for you.
For example, you might find that whitening toothpaste doesn’t give you the results you're seeking!
In this case, you can always try a different method such as whitening strips; spend time working out what method works best for you before you commit.
You should also always speak with your dentist first. Your dentist is the expert here, and they’ll know best when it comes to taking care of your teeth!
Try discussing your issues at your next appointment, and ask what they’d recommend.
They might recommend a professional whitening, or even provide some at-home remedies for you to try. Remember to be honest about your diet and lifestyle and discuss what would work best for you!
If you opt for professional whitening, remember that there are a few issues that can arise.
One concern is that the products dentists use are a lot stronger than the ones you can buy from the supermarket.
They contain a high level of hydrogen peroxide, which will whiten your teeth but can also be bad for you! You could end up with increased tooth sensitivity or even gingival irritation.
These issues are directly related to the ingredients used in the treatment. As such, opting for something non-toxic might be the option you prefer.
You might also find that at-home treatments are less likely to change your teeth sensitivity.
This is because you can buy products with low levels of hydrogen peroxide, and even some that don’t use any!
For example, Boka’s whitening toothpaste is peroxide-free, meaning you can say goodbye to painful teeth whitening.
Another issue when it comes to whitening your teeth is the overall maintenance. It’s hard to say how long your teeth will stay white, as factors like your diet and overall health can impact their color in the long term.
Most experts agree that your teeth will stay white for a year after a professional treatment, but accidental restaining is still a large issue.
Some whitening products are also more efficient than others. For example, whitening toothpastes are designed to have long-term use.
This means that it might take weeks before you see a visible difference! These are all realistic expectations you should consider before starting to whiten your teeth.
Tips for Preventing Yellow Teeth
There are a few things you can do to keep your teeth bright and shiny for longer. From improving your hygiene habits to adapting your diet, here are a few of our top tips for keeping up that confident smile:
- Brush regularly with Boka’s n-Ha whitening toothpaste.
- Remember to brush at least twice a day for two minutes at a time.
- Electric toothbrushes tend to work better to whiten your teeth. Studies have shown that they’re more effective at stain removal than manual brushes (5), but it's really up to your personal preference!
- Rinse and clean your mouth after consuming food or drink that might stain your teeth.
- Cut back on the coffee - it can stain your teeth!
- Or you could try drinking teeth-staining drinks like cola, tea, and coffee with a straw, as this limits contact with your teeth.
- Quit smoking - tobacco use can turn your teeth brown! You can try using nicotine gum as a replacement, as this helps keep your teeth lighter (4).
- Attend regular dental checkups with your dentist - at least once a year, and more often if you notice sudden changes to the appearance of your teeth.
- Visit the hygienist every six months to get your teeth professionally cleaned.
- Use whitening-friendly products on your teeth, such as Boka’s whitening toothpaste and strips. Our non-toxic formulas help your mouth stay shiny and fresh.
- Develop a holistic approach to your oral health. Here at Boka, we believe that health starts with your mouth! If your mouth isn’t happy – how can the rest of you be?