A spotlessly white smile is something that everyone wishes for. However, yellowing of teeth is a common issue faced by individuals, worldwide. We often ask ourselves whether teeth can be restored of their natural whiteness. Fortunately, there are a lot of ways to make yellowish teeth white. From maintaining regular oral hygiene and a proper diet to obtaining dental visits for professional whitening, you can do anything. But, before that it is important to know why teeth turn discoloured.
Teeth lose their innate shine and turn yellowish with progressing age. This happens because the enamel erodes gradually, thus exposing the underlying dentine. Also, there are other causes behind, such as:
- Improper oral hygiene
- Diet
- Excessive smoking and alcohol intake
- Use of particular medicines, like, antibiotics
Dental health is a vast component of the physical health and must be treated carefully. While most of us have a habit of brushing the teeth two times a day, we do not prioritise flossing and rinsing the mouth. Such neglect to maintaining oral health can lead to plaque build-up over the teeth surface, giving a yellowish look. Besides, it can also damage other aspects of our well-being.
What we take in also makes a significant impact on our teeth’s whiteness. There are several foods and beverages which are acidic in nature. Consuming these can wear away the protective enamel on the teeth, causing them to turn yellow. Apart from foods, the tar from tobacco adheres to the teeth while smoking, thus resulting in stains.
Ways to Whiten Teeth At Home
Professional teeth whitening treatments are no doubt the best way to whiten teeth. You must visit the dentist at routine intervals to avoid potentially harmful oral disorders, after getting a dental brightening treatment. However, it is also possible to effectively keep your mouth clean and the teeth white at the comfort of home. For that, you must bring positive lifestyle changes.
- Proper oral care: The most crucial modification you can do is maintaining a proper teeth cleaning routine that includes brushing (preferably twice a day), flossing and using mouthwash. Since most of us start the day with a sugary breakfast to give our bodies that required energy boost, chances are high that the sugars will attract bacteria. So, it is better to brush the teeth after main meals for enhanced protection.
Brushing your teeth, gums, and tongue prior to eating will not only safeguard your tooth enamel from harmful substances that can lead to tooth decay, cavities, and gum issues but will also prevent these products from discolouring your teeth.
- Quit unhealthy habits: To achieve whiter teeth, you should also quit smoking. Cigarettes can severely harm our health in various ways, but since our mouths are the initial point of contact with smoke and toxic chemicals, they frequently bear the majority of the damage. Laryngeal, pharyngeal, and oesophageal cancers are significant risks that should encourage you to quit smoking, but these conditions can be difficult to detect as they progress.
What is visible, however, is the tar from tobacco staining teeth to yellow, weakening them against other detrimental substances we ingest, so you might want to think about quitting smoking to brighten your teeth’s natural shade and preserve overall dental health.
Home Remedies for Whitening Teeth
There are numerous methods for naturally whitening your teeth; however, it should be noted that they are not as effective as enhancing your oral hygiene. Some popular homely teeth cleaning components are:
- Activated charcoal: Certain individuals use charcoal to clean their teeth, as its abrasive nature can remove some bacteria responsible for yellowing, resulting in a brighter smile. Nonetheless, this serves as more of a short-term fix, since charcoal is excessively abrasive for our teeth and may also erode the protective enamel on their surfaces, making them more vulnerable to harm and additional staining.
- Coconut oil: It is also a common substance reported to be a useful natural alternative to mouthwash that can keep your mouth clean and make your teeth white. But again, the presence of one acid present in coconut oil known to kill a certain oral microbium does not make it more effective than using mouthwash.
Using At-Home Teeth-Whitening Kits
If you already follow an excellent oral hygiene regime, yet, your teeth appear yellowish; then, it would be best to purchase an at-home dental whitening kit. Several clinics offering professional teeth whitening treatment in London are there – you can visit any of them. The dentist will get a personalised mould of your inner mouth. Then, simply you need to put the professional-grade whitening gel over the inner surface and use it on your teeth. Gradually, you can see that your discoloured teeth are becoming white (over a period of two weeks).
(Note: Never buy teeth whitening products without researching: Often, commercial teeth whitening products or gels are available at a low price, making them more tempting. However, you must stay away from them if you do not want to risk your safety. Most of the time, they contain harmful ingredients which are not medically tested. So, it is better to consult a reputed teeth whitening dentist first.)
Conclusion
If you want to whiten your yellow teeth rapidly, the best option for you is to get a professional treatment. The process is very simple – make an appointment with any of your local dental clinic and schedule a specific date. On the day of your consultation, the dentist will apply the whitening gel and place an UV light on your teeth surface. The process is generally completed within an hour, showing instant, visible results. Apart from teeth whitening, you can also have your old dental fillings replaced white fillings to keep a fresh, sparkling mouth.
However, individuals having tooth and gum sensitivity may not be eligible for professional dental whitening services. Well, it is still possible to have discussions with the dentist for they can recommend other treatments, for example veneers. They protect your teeth from harmful chemicals present in the food as well as the stain-causing elements. Last but not the least, using too much whitening gel can greatly damage the tooth enamel. So, once you have obtained a professional teeth whitening treatment, start practising regular oral hygiene to maintain the teeth’s whiteness and freshness for longer. Book a professional teeth whitening treatment in London today!