Teeth can appear yellow for many different reasons. The most effective method of whitening teeth is professional whitening performed by a dentist.
Home remedies for whitening teeth may not only fail to meet expectations but may also harm your teeth.
Why Teeth Become Yellow
Very few people naturally have perfectly white teeth. As people age, teeth tend to become more yellow.
Teeth become yellow for two main reasons:
Enamel thinning. The outer layer of the teeth consists of enamel, which has an almost white color and protects the deeper structures of the tooth. Beneath the enamel lies a layer of tissue called dentin, which has a yellow-brown color. When the enamel layer becomes thinner or wears away, dentin becomes more visible, making the teeth appear darker. Acidic foods, gum disease, and aging can wear down tooth enamel. In some people, enamel is naturally thinner.
Stains. Certain foods and drinks, such as coffee, can stain teeth. Some foods that stain teeth can also wear down enamel, increasing yellowing. Other causes of stains include smoking and the use of certain medications.
What Else Can Cause Tooth Discoloration
Some antihistamines, antipsychotic medications, and drugs used to treat high blood pressure can cause teeth to darken. Cancer treatments may also have this effect.
In addition, people who received certain antibiotics during childhood may experience tooth discoloration in adulthood.
How to Whiten Teeth Naturally
Diet changes. Eliminating foods that leave stains on teeth may help prevent further discoloration. Foods and beverages that contain tannins, such as wine and tea, can stain teeth. Coffee, dark sodas, and juices can also discolor them. Acidic foods can make teeth yellow by wearing down enamel.
People who are concerned about the color of their teeth should avoid excessive consumption of citrus fruits, coffee, and carbonated drinks.
Quitting smoking or tobacco products can reduce the risk of nicotine stains on teeth. It can also help prevent tooth decay and gum disease, which may damage enamel and cause oral health problems.
Chewing high-fiber foods. Chewing certain vegetables and legumes that are high in fiber may help neutralize acid in the mouth and protect tooth enamel. Beans or leafy greens such as spinach stimulate the mouth to produce more saliva, which helps cleanse the mouth of acids.
Limit sugar intake. If you want whiter teeth, reduce your sugar consumption. A high-sugar diet promotes the growth of Streptococcus mutans, the main type of bacteria responsible for dental plaque and gingivitis.
Questionable Home Teeth Whitening Methods That Do Not Provide the Expected Effect
Oil Pulling. Oil pulling is an Indian practice of rinsing the mouth with oil to remove dirt, bacteria, and food debris. However, science has not proven the benefits of this procedure.
The American Dental Association considers oil pulling to be an alternative dental practice and notes that there is no reliable scientific evidence showing that oil pulling reduces cavities, whitens teeth, or improves oral health.
People who replace regular tooth brushing or flossing with oil pulling are at particular risk. This increases the risk of cavities because oil cannot remove dental plaque or reduce the number of bacteria in the mouth.
This method is especially dangerous for people who have amalgam fillings that contain mercury. Mercury is attracted to oils and fats, which may cause it to be released from the filling and potentially affect the body.
During oil pulling, there is also a significant risk of swallowing the oil, which may lead to stomach upset or diarrhea.
Brushing Teeth with Baking Soda. Another popular method is whitening teeth with baking soda.
Science has not proven that brushing with ordinary baking soda whitens teeth. However, using this method carries certain risks. The gums can suffer a large number of micro-injuries from such brushing.
In addition, baking soda may cause allergic skin reactions around the mouth. Along with dental plaque, baking soda may also remove tooth enamel. As a result, tooth sensitivity increases, and later cavities may develop, which can even lead to tooth loss.
Moreover, the whitening effect from baking soda is very short-term and provides only superficial cleaning.
Hydrogen Peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide is an active ingredient in many whitening products. Usually, its concentration in toothpaste, whitening strips, and mouth rinses is low.
However, buying hydrogen peroxide at a pharmacy and using it independently at home is not recommended, as it is easy to miscalculate the concentration and cause burns to the gums and oral cavity.
Hydrogen peroxide may also increase tooth sensitivity.
Whitening with Fruits. The enzymes papain and bromelain, found in papaya and pineapple and sometimes added to toothpaste, are not a proven method of whitening teeth. Rubbing teeth with fruit should also be avoided.
Whitening teeth with a mixture of strawberries and baking soda is another dangerous method. Strawberries contain a large amount of acids that break down substances responsible for tooth discoloration. However, strawberries can also damage thin and sensitive tooth enamel.
The effectiveness of this method is also questionable. Although strawberries may slightly brighten teeth, they are unlikely to remove stains effectively.
A study conducted in 2015 showed that a mixture of strawberries and baking soda produced only a very small change in tooth color compared to commercial whitening products.
Several folk methods of teeth whitening may actually harm teeth.
These include:
- lemons
- oranges
- apple cider vinegar
- activated charcoal
How to Prevent Tooth Stains
Maintaining excellent oral hygiene is the most important step a person can take to prevent and reduce tooth yellowing. Regular brushing and flossing can protect enamel, prevent gum disease, and help remove stains.
Good oral hygiene includes:
- brushing teeth at least twice a day;
- using fluoride toothpaste;
- using dental floss.
Regular dental check-ups can help keep teeth bright and healthy. Yellow teeth are usually not a sign of a health problem, but a dentist can check for enamel loss and cavities.
Natural and folk remedies may cause harm, and their effects are often short-lived.
Dentists at YAREMA DENTAL offer whitening procedures that are far more effective and safer because they are performed by professionals.
This article does not replace a medical consultation. For complete and personalized information, please consult your dentist.