Do you look in the mirror, but the colour of your teeth is far from ideal? You are wondering what you can do to have not only healthy, but also white teeth. Read our text and find out what you can do to prevent yellow teeth from becoming a problem.
Yellow teeth - possible causes
Some people think that yellow teeth are only the result of drinking a lot of coffee or smoking cigarettes. Nothing could be further from the truth, there are many more factors that influence the shade of teeth.
Firstly - yellow teeth can be your natural colour. How is this possible? The thin layer of enamel that covers the dentin (which is yellow in colour) is to blame in this case. We wrote more about this in our article "What does tooth colour depend on"., so we invite you to read on.
Other causes include diseases of the thyroid gland, hormonal disorders or a history of chemotherapy. Medications, mainly antidepressants, antihistamines, hypertension or antibiotics, are also important. You can read what else is affected by specific diseases in our text "Drugs and diseases that spoil teeth".
However, it is whether or not your teeth are yellow, your oral hygiene is primarily responsible. Plaque that is not removed turns into tartar over time, and this taints the tooth surface yellow. Tartar also has much more serious consequences than tooth colour. What are they? You can find out in the article "Tartar on teeth - find out how it affects your health".
Another reason is diet. Everything you eat and drink settles on your teeth. Some products further damage the enamel. This applies especially to those containing acids such as citrus.
The last of the causes of yellow teeth is the aforementioned cigarette smoking. The tarry substances contained in cigarettes enter the mouth and settle on the surface of the teeth. They discolour the enamel and the smoker's teeth become yellowish over time. Only by getting rid of the cigarette habit and applying appropriate treatments can the colour of the teeth improve.
How to get rid of yellow teeth - first, prevention
Obviously, prevention is always better. That is why proper oral hygiene is so important. Remember to brush your teeth regularly after every meal, and if you don't have the opportunity, rinse your mouth with water.
IMPORTANT! Do not brush your teeth immediately after Eating citrus or other acidic products. By brushing your teeth, you are only rubbing in substances that damage the enamel.
However, brushing teeth alone is not enough. Regular visits to the dental surgery are necessary. During them, the dentist will remove the tartar on the teeth, but will also be able to notice any changes in the oral cavity. And you can read more about the hygiene procedure itself in our article "Dental hygiene in the UK - scaling, tooth sandblasting, polishing and fluoridation".
Finally, avoid products that damage your enamel and, if you smoke, it's best to quit.
A dream white
But what if you are already struggling with yellow teeth, or are unable to achieve the whiteness you dream of despite taking preventive care? In both cases, you can opt for teeth whitening.
IMPORTANT: You can find a lot of information on the web on tooth whitening with citric acid or baking soda. Before you try them on yourself, read our article "Home remedies for teeth whitening - pros and cons". Some of the ways may not only fail to whiten teeth, but also cause staining and damage to the enamel.
That is why it is better to take advice from specialists. We invite you to a visit, during which we will present you with possible options. One of them is overlay teeth whitening - we wrote more about it in the article "Overlay teeth whitening at home".
Another option is whitening in our office using the Enlighten system, which guarantees whitening to the colour Vita B1 (in the dental world it means the whitest of whites). If you would like to find out more - Call us or make an appointment.
A final option on how to get rid of yellow teeth is veneers. These are usually porcelain trays bonded to your teeth. They not only give you the whiteness of your dreams, but also perfectly straight teeth. You can read more about veneers in the article "Dental veneers in the UK. Everything you need to know".
Yellow teeth vs budget
If you want to get rid of yellow teeth, you don't have to spend a lot of money. How is this possible? In our office you can use the instalment system. What is important is that not only the cost of treatment, but also whitening or veneers can be paid in instalments.