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Get Rid Of Yellow Teeth

Yellow Teeth is a common problem encountered with growing age. Various factors can cause tooth discoloration. Some of them are inevitable, and you have to deal with them explicitly.

Before we see tips on how to whiten your teeth, we will understand how teeth’s get yellow?

What turns teeth Yellow?

The teeth are covered with a protective layer known as enamel. It protects teeth from daily wear and tear. Overconsumption of acidic foods or beverages can damage the enamel. This will expose teeth to various Chromogens. Chromogen is the primary factor for conversion of white teeth into yellow.
In some cases, yellow teeth appear due to genetic disposition or age.

Types of discoloration

Discoloration of teeth could be categorized into two classes.

• Intrinsic: Intrinsic discoloration occurs due to the change in the structural composition or thickness of the dental hard tissues.
  Example: Ageing, Tetracycline staining, Enamel hypoplasia, Fluorosis, Congenital erythropoietic porphyria, etc.
• Extrinsic: Extrinsic discoloration occurs outside the tooth substance or on the tooth surface. The stain origin could be metallic or non-metallic. It may appear like a brown stain on teeth.

Example:
Smoking, occupational exposure to metallic salt, etc

What causes Yellow teeth and the types of Food to avoid

Throughout our life, teeth are exposed to a lot of things. Some of them are primarily related to the pigmentation of teeth.

• Black Tea, cola, and soft drinks: Drinking too much of tea or coffee may lead to a brown spot on the tooth. These beverages are high in chromogen and cause teeth staining.
• Sugary sweets and Juices: Sweet residue left between your teeth is a good source of food for bacteria. This can cause tooth decay.
• Curry and other sources: They are natural pigment responsible for yellowing teeth.
• Red and White wine: : A bitter compound tannin present in wine helps chromogens to stick to tooth enamel. This cause the discoloration of teeth.
• Acidic foods and beverages: Acidic food can damage the teeth enamel and allow the chromogens to latch on the teeth
• Smoking and Tobacco: It allows dental plaques to accumulate on the teeth and are also responsible for the discoloration of teeth
• Mouthwash: Mouthwash like chlorhexidine is used to treat gum disease (gingivitis). But when it combines with aldehydes and ketones it causes teeth discoloration. While using mouthwash, make sure it is alcohol-free. This does not allow bacterial growth and eventually protects your tooth enamel.
• Medical Treatment: Repetitive use of Fluoride ingestion and chemotherapy as a part of your medical treatment can degrade your teeth enamel exposing tooth for staining. Some antibiotics like minocycline can cause a brown stain on teeth.
• Excess use of ketchup and Soy sauce: Table condiments like balsamic vinegar, ketchup, and soy sauce can contribute to teeth staining.

How to make your Teeth whiter

Following are the popular techniques used for teeth whitening –

• Use teeth whitening gels or strips:

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The whitening gels are effective for teeth whitening but not recommended for people having dental problems. While using whitening strips make sure, they do not contain chlorine dioxide in it. It is the same content used to clean swimming pools.

• Use a tray whitening system: Tray whitening system uses peroxide in the tray, and you can place this tray to your denture for several hours or at least one or two hours. It is recommended to use peroxide based products under the dentist’s supervision.
• Dental Floss: Use floss to clean your teeth and stains stick to the teeth
• ADA approved whitening toothpaste: American Dental Association (ADA) approved toothpaste use particles to polish your teeth and chemicals that bind to stains and remove them.
• Toothpaste with Covarine Blue: Use toothpaste that contains covarine blue. It will bind with your teeth and create an illusion of teeth appearing less yellow. It shows the immediate effect after brushing. Also, it does not cause damage to your enamel compared to the other products available in the market.
• Mild Hydrogen Peroxide 3%: Mild hydrogen peroxide can be used as a teeth whitener. Use hydrogen peroxide with care, as it may cause irritation to the gums. Also, take caution that you don’t swallow it and use hydrogen peroxide with a concentration of 3%. If you are a novice, take help form professional to learn how to bleach your teeth.

Tips to prevent teeth pigmentation

To keep your teeth whiter for a long time, you need to consider some of these precautionary steps.

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• Use a straw while drinking beverages, coffee or tea
• Eat some crunchy food after having greasy food or wine. It helps to clear the stains
• Use paste having baking soda in it –once or twice in a month
• Common stains can be removed with the help of common home remedies or by professionals
• Brush or rinse teeth immediately after consuming stain causing beverages or food
• Gargle with apple cider vinegar, it helps to remove the stain from the teeth and kill the bacteria
• See your dentist at regular intervals

How to whiten teeth naturally

You can also try some home remedies for teeth whitening. Natural ways to whiten teeth are still prevalent. Some of these are,

• Using Baking Soda: : It is the best ingredients to use to get rid of yellow teeth. Scientific studies have supported that the baking soda can enhance plaque removal.
• Orange peel:Rub the outer peel of an orange to your teeth every day. It contains vitamin C and will fight the bacteria.
• Mild Hydrogen peroxide 3%: use hydrogen peroxide with care, as it may cause irritation to the gums. Also, take caution that you don’t swallow it and make sure that you use the hydrogen peroxide with a concentration of 3%
• Lemon: The bleaching property of lemon can be helpful in getting rid of the yellow discoloration
• Salt:Salt is one of the oldest cleansing agents used for yellow teeth. It also enhances the lost mineral contents in the teeth.
• Holy Basil: :: It is believed that holy basil has some anti-bacterial properties. It can be used as a whitening agent as well as treating pyorrhea.
• Activated Charcoal: abcActivated Charcoal can be used as a whitening teeth agent. Charcoal is a porous substance and can absorb toxins. It may reduce stain from the teeth by absorbing the pigments. It is the best way to whiten teeth at home.
• Margosa oil (NEEM) or stick: Another plant that can be used for removing the yellow discoloration. The anti-microbial property of this plant prevents dental caries.

Food for healthier teeth

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Home remedies for whiter teeth are not enough. To keep teeth white for long, providing nourishment and strength is equally important. These will make them less prone to pigmentation. Here are some of the tips on how to keep your teeth strong.

• Consume calcium-fortified juices like milk and dairy products such as cheese.
• Consume fresh fruits and raw vegetables like apples, celery, and carrots. It not only provides nutrition to your teeth, but it also helps to clean plaque from the teeth and freshen your breath as well.
• Cranberries are anti-caries agent. It can inhibit oral bacteria growth and acid production. Thus, it can be used to prevent oral disease like dental caries and periodontitis

That’s all the advice we got! To you and your perfect smile.
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