The reason you are here is that you have yellow teeth but you don't know why you have this problem. You know for a fact that your teeth are neither red nor green. In fact, this oral problem is not to be taken lightly.
Here is a guide to help you know what to do when you have yellow teeth.
What are yellow teeth?
Teeth are hard organs that are made up largely of mineral matter. The structure of the tooth is divided into two parts: the emerging part of the tooth called the crown and the part submerged in the gum and attached to the bone called the root. Our mouth consists of 8 gums, 4 canines, 8 premolars and 12 molars. Tooth enamel is the outer part of the tooth that gives it its pearly white color. This substance is composed of mineral matter, more precisely of calcium hydroxyapatite crystals. Sometimes, the natural color of the teeth loses a good part of its brightness and gradually turns yellow.
Reasons why teeth become yellow
It is most often the wear of the enamel that makes teeth yellow. Indeed, the enamel that is damaged will make the dentin much more visible, which will give a yellow color to your teeth. This erosion is caused by several things:
- Natural aging: as you age, the enamel thins, the dentin becomes more visible and your teeth appear more yellow
- A bad diet: a diet that is too acidic or too sweet, which can lead to cavities and dental hypersensitivity
Consumption of certain drinks: regular consumption of certain drinks or substances (e.g. nicotine) - Poor oral hygiene: Poor oral hygiene favors the formation of dental plaque, making your teeth duller and more yellow.
Techniques to stop having yellow teeth
Brush your teeth properly
- You must brush your teeth after each meal with a toothpaste particularly adapted to yellow teeth and use interdental brushes and dental floss for areas that are difficult to reach with an electric toothbrush.
- You should wait 30 minutes before brushing your teeth to avoid damaging your tooth enamel. You can simply rinse your mouth immediately after a meal and wait before brushing your teeth.
- You must be careful to change your toothbrush regularly, i.e. every 3 months or so.
- You can finish brushing your teeth by using an antiseptic mouthwash for fresh breath 2 to 3 times a week.
Watch your diet and avoid smoking
- Eating foods that are too acidic or too sweet: You should limit the consumption of these foods because they promote the formation of dental plaque, which can turn into tartar and turn your teeth yellow.
- Apple: You can bite into an apple after a meal. This is an excellent reflex to do because it activates salivation, which helps regulate the level of acidity in the mouth.
- Citrus fruits and acidic foods: They are full of nutrients that can erode the enamel which has things to expose the underlying dentin.
- Tomato: This is an acidic fruit. Tomato sauce is known to be a particularly acidic sauce. It will cause an erosion of the dental enamel, which in the long run leads to a yellowing of the teeth.
Make-up to have teeth that look whiter
Choose a lipstick with bluish tones, you can create an optical effect and make your teeth appear whiter. A carmine red, a raspberry pink or a fuchsia will make your smile look pretty. You can also apply higlighter on your lips for a fuller mouth, add a touch of bronzer and apply cool tones for the eyes.
Good tooth brushing is done with an electric toothbrush. The Y-Brush sonic electric toothbrush may be a good option. Indeed, it is a toothbrush that does not use silicone which is not effective on plaque and does not provide a good cleaning. Instead, it uses nylon. This is a noble material that is much more effective. The dentist will then tell you which treatment is best for white teeth.
Tooth whitening at the dentist
If you wish to have dental bleaching, it should be done in addition to the techniques that allow you to gradually regain your white teeth. There are three ways to whiten your teeth to lighten their color.
Here are the three ways to whiten your teeth:
- The ambulatory treatment: the dental surgeon makes a custom-made tray for his patient and then gives him syringes containing the lightening product. The patient must then apply the product to the tray and place it on his or her teeth for several hours each day. This treatment lasts from 8 to 15 days depending on the concentration of the lightening product.
- Chairside treatment: this technique is performed in the dentist's office. The practitioner must first protect the gums, then apply a lightening product rich in hydrogen peroxide to the teeth for about an hour.
- Mixed treatment: as its name indicates, this technique combines a part of ambulatory treatment during which the patient will have to wear a tray impregnated with a lightening product at home, and a part at the office.
We hope this guide has helped you understand the phenomenon of yellow teeth. It is important to know how to identify the reasons why you have yellow teeth or to ask your dentist why. It is important to use the first technique to get whiter teeth and the others if necessary. You should then contact a dentist who will give you the most appropriate treatment. You can then, if you wish, have dental bleaching.
