As we age, our teeth get more yellow. While we all would love them to be pearly white, keeping them from getting yellow is inevitable and only a matter of time. It may be gradual and subtle, but one cannot avoid it.
It happens because outer enamel wears away, and the inner yellow dentin becomes visible. The calcified tissue layer beneath the outer enamel is called dentin.
However, we can slow down the process. If you are looking for ways to whiten your teeth, there are various conventional methods.
Please be careful while choosing whitening ways as wrong remedies techniques can ruin your teeth. It can wear away your enamel and increase the risk of sensitivity and cavity. Most whitening products contain bleach in them, which may concern many people. Therefore, it is recommended to use good natural remedies as they are safe for all. It helps you whiten your teeth without using any type of chemical.
But before you find ways to whiten your teeth, know why your teeth get yellow.
What Causes Teeth to Turn Yellow?
Various factors cause teeth to become dull and yellow-colored.
Dentin
The yellowness of teeth starts appearing when the enamel gets so thin that the dentin shows through it from underneath. Dentin is often responsible for the yellowness that lowers your confidence. Thick enamel hides the dentin, but you must know that it doesn’t always hide the stains of the surface.
Foods
There are lots of foods that stain teeth. Your teeth may become yellow due to tomatoes in your sauce or curry spices and berries in your food. These are the food items that contain pigments that destroy tooth enamel and cause stains on the surface. It may surprise you, but even your healthy salad with balsamic vinegar dressing can also be a reason for your yellow teeth.
Drinks
Coffee and tea are two of the most common drinks that can turn your teeth yellow. You can also blame red and white wine. Other culprits include drinks with artificial coloring like dark and light sodas and sports drinks.
Genetics
Sometimes, yellow teeth are because of your family. If one of your parents has yellow teeth, it is likely that you also have yellow teeth. Apart from white, there are four natural shades of teeth- reddish-brown, reddish-yellow, gray, and reddish-gray, and color varies on a spectrum from light to dark.
Wear
Your teeth turn yellow with your age. It happens because the enamel wears away from getting into contact with acids from food and drink. In most people, teeth turn yellow because their enamel thins with age. In some people, you may also see a grayish shade due to a lasting food stain.
Antibiotics
When Tetracycline antibiotics develop in the gums, they stain teeth. According to the National Institute of Health, if a mother has an intake of antibiotics in her second half of pregnancy or has a regular intake of it for a long time before the age of eight, it may develop permanent stains on the baby’s adult teeth.
Smoking
Nicotine from smoking is not only the culprit of developing an unhealthy addiction; it also develops stains on your teeth; one more reason to quit the life-taking smoking habit.
Fluorosis
Fluoride is good for teeth, but excess of it is not. Excess fluoride can cause fluorosis; yellow or brownish yellow spots on teeth. Some biggest fluoride sources are fluoridated water, toothpaste with fluoride content, and doctor-prescribed fluoride tablets. Ask your dentist for the fluoride content in your oral tablets or teeth products if you are worried that you or your child is taking too much fluoride through these means.
Grinding
When people get stressed, they unconsciously grind their teeth, especially while asleep. This habit is also known as bruxism. Grinding is harmful to the tooth enamel as it weakens the teeth and causes cracking and yellowing.
Accidents
The impact caused due to an accident can crack tooth enamel and damage the interior of the tooth. This kind of impact leads to discoloration. It also indicates internal bleeding, and professional attention is recommended in such situations.
These are some reasons that cause undesirable tinge.
How to Whiten Your Teeth At Home – Best Remedies
Brush Using Baking Soda
Most toothpaste has baking soda as a popular ingredient because of its natural whitening properties.
Baking soda is mildly abrasive and works as a scrub to remove stains from teeth. Plus, it creates an alkaline environment and prevents the growth of bacteria.
Although it is not a remedy that works wonders overnight, you can see the noticeable difference over time.
Research shows that toothpaste that contains baking soda can remove plaque from your teeth more effectively than those with no baking soda content. The higher the baking soda content, the more effective the results are.
The process to use this remedy:
- Take a small bowl and mix one teaspoon of baking soda with two teaspoons of water in it to make a paste. Use this remedy a few times per week for better results.
Regular Brushing and Flossing
Mostly, plaque buildup leads to teeth discoloration. Proper and regular brushing and flossing can keep your teeth white and reduce the development of bacteria and plaque in your mouth.
Oil Pulling
Many people already know how to whiten your teeth at home using oil pulling. If you are confused, here’s what you need to know.
Oil pulling is one of the best remedies to remove plaque and bacteria from the mouth. It helps to whiten teeth. Use high-quality, organic (sesame, coconut, or sunflower) oil for pulling, as it doesn’t contain harmful ingredients.
For this remedy, swish two teaspoons of coconut oil in your mouth. Do it for 10 to 30 minutes. Be cautious that oil doesn’t touch the back part of your throat. Keep attention that you do not swallow the oil as it contains toxins and bacteria present in your mouth. Spill it out and rinse your mouth with water. Drink a glass full of water after rinsing. Now brush your teeth properly.
Sesame and sunflower oil pulling helps reduce gingivitis caused due to plaque. You can see a whitening effect on teeth after oil pulling.
Fruit Peels
Some people believe that rubbing peels of banana, orange, and lemon on teeth can help you how to whiten your teeth at home. Some citrus fruit peels contain d-limonene, which works to whiten the teeth.
Rub these citrus peels gently for 2 minutes. Rinse the mouth thoroughly with water and brush your teeth after it.
Some studies show that toothpaste with d-limonene helps remove teeth stains that are caused due to tea or smoking.
People who continue brushing twice daily with d-limonene containing toothpaste for four weeks have seen a significant reduction in their stains. However, it does not help remove long-standing stains of smoking or tea.
Tangerine peel extract has varying teeth whitening abilities.
Do not use this remedy if you have sensitivity issues.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is a bleaching agent that kills your mouth bacterias. Because of this property, it is used for cleaning wounds for ages.
Studies show that hydrogen peroxide and baking soda when used in toothpaste together, can whiten the teeth significantly. So you can also prepare and use hydrogen peroxide and baking soda mixture to brush your teeth.
It makes teeth 62 percent whiter in four weeks.
Diluted hydrogen peroxide is recommended when you are trying to find ways on how to whiten teeth your at home. You can use the solution as a regular mouthwash before you brush your teeth.
Crunchy Fruits and Vegetables
When you eat crunchy fruits and vegetables, it rubs the plaque off your teeth. It is an excellent remedy to remove plaque. However, do not consider it as a replacement for brushing.
Fruits and vegetables are also great for overall health so it’s a win-win.
Fruits like pineapple and strawberries are also said to whiten your teeth. Bromelain enzyme in pineapple is effective in removing stains from your teeth. On the other hand, malic acid in strawberries is effective in removing discoloration and making teeth whiter.
Visit Your Dentist
If none of the remedies works for you and the yellowish discoloration keeps increasing, it is better to visit your dentist. Let professionals handle it. Teeth with poor color and health require veneers or dental implants.
Veneers are fragile porcelain wafers mounted on your teeth to mask them. This teeth whitening solution mask displays an artificial color and positioning of your teeth.
A dental implant is an option if your dental health and condition seem irreparable. It is a metal post that serves the purpose of holding artificial teeth replacement.
We hope these tips will help you understand how to how to whiten your teeth at home – follow The Glam Lives for more health tips!
