TEETH-STAINS
Yellow Teeth: Causes and How to Whiten Teeth
What Causes Yellow or Discolored Teeth?
How to Whiten Teeth
Home Remedies for Yellow Teeth
How to Maintain Whitened Teeth
What Causes Yellow or Discolored Teeth?
Do you have yellow or discolored teeth? Are you looking for a smile makeover and wondering how to whiten your teeth? It’s best to start by evaluating your whitening needs and goals by looking at the color of your teeth and your habits or other factors that may have caused discoloration:
- Diet: Certain foods that are high in tannins, such as red wine, are potential causes of yellow teeth. Some of the most common causes of tooth discoloration include drinking beverages such as coffee, tea, and wine. These substances get into the enamel of your teeth and can cause long-term discoloration.
- Smoking: Smoking is one of the top causes of yellow or brown teeth, and stains from smoking can be stubborn. But smokers can improve the color of their teeth by quitting smoking, following a complete oral care routine of twice-daily toothbrushing and daily flossing, and using the right teeth-whitening products.
- Illness: Certain medical conditions or medications are also causes of yellow or discolored teeth. Patients who are undergoing chemotherapy for head or neck cancers may develop yellow or discolored teeth. Also, certain types of prescription medications including medications for asthma and high blood pressure are causes of stained teeth.
- Poor Oral Hygiene: Poor oral hygiene is one of the causes of yellow teeth, but even the most diligent brushers and flossers can develop the discolored teeth that occur simply with age.
- Fluoride: Excessive fluoride exposure is also among the causes of stained teeth, especially in children. Whitening stained teeth due to excessive fluoride exposure needs to be done with continuous dental supervision.
If any of the causes of stained teeth have left you unsatisfied with your smile, you have many choices of whitening products. Consider the causes of stained teeth in your expectations for teeth whitening but be sure to check with your dentist first and follow instructions carefully.
How to Whiten Teeth
Once you’ve made the decision to invest in a whiter, brighter smile, there are a number of treatment options to consider. From in-office treatments to at-home whitening strips, gels, toothpastes, and rinses, there are a variety of ways to say goodbye to stained teeth and achieve the perfect white smile. Here are some general details about both options to help you make an educated decision on how to whiten your teeth.
- At-dentist Whitening: Professional teeth whitening is done at your dentist’s office and includes the application of a bleaching agent directly to your teeth. Special lights combined with bleach, may also be used to enhance the whitening. Depending on the initial level of color of your stained teeth, you may have one or several treatments that range from approximately 30 minutes to two hours.
- At-home Whitening: At-home teeth-whitening options include over the-counter whitening strips, emulsions and gels, all of which use peroxide-based chemistry. Initial results are typically seen in just a few days and last for up to twelve months for products. These options are more economical.
If you want to whiten your stained teeth, it can be hard to know where to start. There are so many options available to whiten teeth that it can get overwhelming. No matter what you decide, it's always a good idea to consult with your dentist about your stained teeth before starting a whitening program.
Home Remedies for Yellow Teeth
To whiten stained teeth, you’ll need to start a whitening program. Crest whitening solutions can not only remove stains, but can also protect from future stain build-up. Try Crest Whitening Emulsions for whiter teeth with virtually no sensivity or Crest 3D Whitestrips™ Professional Effects for noticeably whiter teeth in 3 days and professional level results with a full kit.
How to Maintain Whitened Teeth
After you have worked hard to whiten your teeth, you’ll want to keep your smile bright and white by creating a whitening routine. Focus on maintaining good oral hygiene practices such as brushing, flossing, and rinsing every day. For a regimen approach to whitening, you can try products from the Crest 3D White collection. Begin with the whitening toothpaste Crest® 3D White Brilliance and finish with Crest® 3D White Brilliance Alcohol Free Whitening Mouthwash.
Sources:
- http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/teeth-whitening
- http://dentalresource.org/topic53stainedteeth.html
- http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/slideshow-10-secrets-to-whiter-teeth
- http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/tooth-discoloration
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