Teeth turning yellow? Know the reasons and cure




Yellow teeth treatment

Teeth turning yellow? Know the reasons and cure

There's nothing better than having a lovely smile with shining white teeth. The biggest challenge to our white teeth is discoloration. When teeth start turning yellow, whatever the reasons may be, this can signify that something is wrong with your dental care. Read this article to know the reasons for yellow teeth, foods that cause yellow teeth, and yellow teeth treatment to turn yellow teeth into white.

Reasons for yellowing of teeth

Plaque : -

Not brushing teeth properly leads to plaque deposition on the tooth's surface, making them yellow. Plaque is acidic and reacts with enamel causing yellowing and tooth decay. Further, plaque hardens and forms tartar on the gum line if plaque is not removed regularly.

Cavities : -

Tooth decay and cavities weaken the enamel layer on teeth causing yellowing of teeth. As the cavities become more and more severe, dark spots and holes develop on teeth.

Tooth injury : -

Injuries may cause blood vessels to break and discolor teeth. So, it's better to be careful with tooth injuries to avoid long-term problems.

Smoking : -

Smoking, and tobacco are known to be harmful to teeth. Smoking causes dryness of the mouth and decreases saliva formation, and tobacco being acidic causes enamel decay and yellowing of teeth.

Genetics : -

Genetic issues cause enamel thinning, making them more prone to discoloration and yellowing.

Mouth dryness : -

Dryness of mouth and lack of saliva formation cause yellowing of teeth. Consumption of alcohol, tea, coffee, etc., or not drinking a sufficient amount of water is known to cause dryness.

Foods and beverages : -

Acidic food and drinks cause yellowing of teeth. Beverages cold drinks contain acid and are very harmful to enamel. Food like- tomatoes, candies, sweets, vinegar, etc., are known to cause yellowing of teeth.

Medical conditions : -

Diseases like hepatitis, jaundice, etc., may also discolor teeth. Several medications also cause side effects like yellowing of teeth. Similarly, during pregnancy, lack of nutrition or medicines can cause enamel decay and yellowing of teeth.

Also Read: All about Oral Health and Common Dental Problems

Treatment for yellow teeth

Following are the effective and easy to do yellow teeth treatments to turn your yellow teeth into white : -

Brush teeth regularly and maintain oral hygiene

Maintaining oral hygiene is the first step for healthy, shining white teeth. It's recommended that people brush their teeth twice, firstly in the morning and then at night before sleeping. After consuming acidic food and drinks, people should at least rinse their teeth, if not brush them, to prevent enamel decay. Further, it's advised to brush the teeth gently, not hard in a circular motion to ensure complete gum protection. According to a study, whitening toothpaste has also been scientifically shown to whiten teeth. They contain mild abrasives that gently scrub the teeth to remove the surface stain.

Baking soda and hydrogen peroxide

Using hydrogen peroxide and baking soda paste is also known to remove plaque buildup and yellow stains. To prepare the paste, mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda with 2 tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide and gently brush your teeth with this paste and then rinse the mouth thoroughly. A 2017 review of the research on toothpaste with baking soda also concluded that they're helpful and safe and can be used daily for removing yellow stains and whitening teeth.

Eating fresh fruits and vegetables

Fresh fibrous fruits and vegetables with high water content, fibre, and nutrition help maintain healthy white teeth. The water and fibre content moisten the teeth and gums. Moreover, increases saliva formation while the nutrients like Vitamin C, K, calcium, and phosphorous help rebuild enamel. Recommended food list includes milk, papaya, watermelon, apple, cauliflower, etc. Avoiding foods include high sugar content processed food, fried food, high salt content food, etc.

Lemon and orange peels

It's often claimed that rubbing lemon, orange, or banana peels on teeth makes them whiter. It's believed that d-limonene and citric acid, found in some citrus fruit peels, will help whiten teeth. People can gently rub the peels on their teeth for about 2 minutes and then rinse. A study has also shown that toothpaste containing 5 percent d-limonene helps remove teeth' yellow stains. Another study showed that citric acid extracts from four different types of orange peel can be used as a teeth whitener. Regular use of acidic peels can erode and wear away your enamel, so care should be maintained while using peels.

Oil pulling

Oil pulling is a less popular practice in this; you have to take 2 to 1 teaspoon of liquid sunflower oil or coconut oil and swish for 10 to 30 minutes. Make sure to not swallow the oil as it contains plaque and bacteria from your mouth. After swishing oil, rinse your mouth with water and then drink a full glass of water. The final step then is to brush your teeth. Oil pulling can whiten teeth, as plaque buildup can cause teeth to turn yellow.

Activated charcoal

Activated charcoal being highly absorbent is another effective treatment to remove stains from your teeth. People can use a toothpaste containing activated charcoal to whiten teeth. Activated charcoal effectively removes plaque and leftover food from teeth; thus, it helps maintain healthy enamel and gums.

Visit the dentist at least twice a year

To maintain the best overall dental care and maintain white shining teeth, it's highly recommended to visit a good dentist at least once every six months. A dentist will check up on your teeth and suggest the best treatment for shiny white teeth.

Also Read: The Future of Indian Dentistry

These were a few easy remedies to maintain healthy, shiny teeth. To make a lucrative career in dental science, join the BDS course at Mansarovar dental college. Mansarovar Dental College at Bhopal provides the best BDS course in the country, with the best education, training, and professional development. Mansarovar Dental college uses different modes of teaching and learning activities like problem-based learning, fixed learning modules with integrated ways of teaching, and case-based studies. Mansarovar Dental College also offers a unique opportunity for students to get involved in various Research and Development projects in collaboration with various external organizations.


BLOG LISTS

Dentist
CAREER OUTLOOK OF A DENTIST