When it comes to naturally yellow teeth, brightening your smile can seem like a challenge. Although there’s nothing inherently wrong with teeth that aren’t perfectly white, many people seek ways to enhance their appearance.
Teeth vary widely in colour due to a variety of factors like genetics, medications, diet, and age. Dentists use the ‘VITA Classical Shade Guide’, ranging from reddish-brownish to reddish-grey shades, to define natural tooth colours.
Genetics play one of the most significant roles, with some individuals having naturally darker or more yellowish ‘dentin’, the layer below the enamel of your teeth. Lifestyle factors like drinking coffee and tea, and eating certain foods can also contribute, while ageing and poor dental hygiene practices cause enamel to wear away, exposing darker dentin.
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How to whiten naturally yellow teeth
Improving dental hygiene and avoiding staining habits are essential, when it comes to keeping your pearly whites clean and in shape.
Of course, opting for at-home treatments like whitening strips and whitening or charcoal toothpaste can help with surface stains, but they may not address deeper discolouration. However, there are still steps you can take that will assist in whitening teeth.
The most obvious way to treat yellow teeth is to cut back on the habits that cause them. This doesn’t mean cutting coffee or red wine, but you should always aim to brush as soon as possible after consuming them.
Another trick for whitening your teeth is to eat your veggies. Dr. Lowenberg, a cosmetic dentist based in New York, tells Byrdie that munching on crunchy fruits and vegetables could actually play a role in whitening teeth.
“Chewing raw, crunchy fruits and vegetables, like apples, radishes, celery, kale, or carrots, can mechanically remove food and bacteria from your teeth and mouth while scrubbing away surface stains to help prevent the dull appearance of teeth,” says Dr. Lowenberg.
If your teeth are still not whitening after these at-home tips, then it may be time to consider professional help. If you have issues like dental cavities, the dentist should always be your first stop.
Here’s your reminder to maintain regular dental check-ups and proper oral hygiene habits for overall dental health.
