People have the common misconception that teeth should be perfectly white, but this isn’t the case. Even if you diligently brush your teeth twice a day, every single day, there are a couple of reasons why your teeth may not be as white as you would like them to be. Our team at Somba Kè Family Dental has put together this article so that you can find out why your teeth aren’t pearly white and find advice on how to make them whiter.
#1 Teeth Aren’t Naturally White
To begin, any dentist near you will tell you that your teeth are not naturally white. Even if your teeth were to never come into contact with staining agents, they are naturally off-white and would still appear that way.
The portion of your tooth visible above the gum line is made of enamel and dentin. Dentin is the hard tissue that makes up the majority of your tooth’s structure, and it is encased in protective enamel. Both of these structures can cause your teeth to appear discolored.
#2 Teeth Are Stained
Most of the time, teeth become stained from the substances that individuals eat and drink, as well as other lifestyle choices.
Smoking is a large culprit when it comes to stained teeth, but it isn’t the only cause. Regular ingestion of berries, coffee, red wine, and cola can all cause teeth staining. Sometimes, even prescription medications and fluoride can cause staining.
Even if you brush your teeth daily, your teeth will likely stain over time if you regularly consume dark-colored substances.
#3 Brushing Isn’t Designed to Whiten Teeth
Brushing your teeth is meant to remove harmful bacteria and plaque but not to whiten them. As recommended by your dentist, brushing twice a day is vital because it prevents cavities and tooth decay. Brushing alone will not whiten your teeth, though, and even whitening toothpaste only has a minimal effect on your teeth.
Over-The-Counter Whitening Options
There are many options for over-the-counter teeth whitening in Yellowknife. These products can offer some benefits, but they are often extremely limited in what they can do to whiten your smile.
Whitening strips, toothpastes, and mouthwashes can only affect surface enamel and thus only get surface-level stains out. Additionally, many over-the-counter whitening treatments do not offer even results, and patients end up with patchy teeth.
Overuse of over-the-counter whitening products can do more harm than good since many of them can damage your tooth enamel when used improperly.
Professional Teeth Whitening Treatments
The best and safest way to get a whiter, brighter smile is to visit a dental clinic in Yellowknife for professional teeth whitening near you.
Depending on your teeth and desired appearance, there are several recommendations that your dentist might make. For example, you may be offered an in-office bleaching treatment or be given custom-made whitening trays to use at home. Both options will provide you with an enhanced, radiant smile, and you can rest assured that you will receive quick, safe, and long-lasting results.
If you are interested in learning more about achieving whiter teeth in a safe and effective manner, contact our team at Somba Ké Family Dental. Our dentists know what whitening treatments will work best for your smile and are happy to assist you. Please contact us to book a consultation today!
FAQs
The most common reason for yellow teeth despite daily brushing is incorrect brushing techniques. Inadequate removal of plaque causes staining. To brush correctly, reach every corner and brush for two minutes, twice daily. Brush the tongue to eliminate bacteria that cause bad breath and tooth discoloration.
Why are my teeth yellow even if I brush every day? ›
Regular ingestion of berries, coffee, red wine, and cola can all cause teeth staining. Sometimes, even prescription medications and fluoride can cause staining. Even if you brush your teeth daily, your teeth will likely stain over time if you regularly consume dark-colored substances.
Why are my teeth yellow when I have good hygiene? ›
Is your enamel wearing thin? Thin enamel is one possible cause of yellow teeth. Certain illnesses and medications can cause enamel to become thinner than it should be. Acids in foods and drinks can also erode enamel, particularly the highly corrosive acids in cola and other soft drinks.
Can yellow teeth be white again? ›
Fortunately, there are ways of making your yellow teeth white, from improving your oral hygiene and diet to visiting the dentist and having them professionally whitened. There's no need to feel ashamed of your smile anymore.
How do you get rid of yellow teeth after brushing? ›
Using a paste made of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide is said to remove plaque buildup and bacteria to get rid of stains. Mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda with 2 tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide to make a paste. Rinse your mouth thoroughly with water after brushing with this paste.
How to actually whiten teeth? ›
Seven Ways to Naturally Whiten Teeth
- Eat Strawberries. One of the simplest ways to naturally whiten your teeth is just by eating strawberries. ...
- Eat Plenty of Fruits and Vegetables. ...
- Brush After You Eat or Drink. ...
- Rinse with Apple Cider Vinegar. ...
- Apply Coconut Oil. ...
- Brush Your Tongue. ...
- Use Baking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide.
What vitamin deficiency causes yellow teeth? ›
In adults, low vitamin D status can lead to gingivitis and periodontal disease. Does vitamin D deficiency cause yellow teeth? Yes, vitamin D deficiency can show up as yellow teeth. Yellow or brown spots on teeth are a symptom of rickets, a condition caused by chronic low levels of vitamin D.
How yellow is ok for teeth? ›
Natural teeth are normally tinged with grey or yellow. Basically, it's the thickness and shade of your enamel which impact the color of your teeth. Don't worry if you brush daily and your teeth still remain yellow. It could just be that they're that shade naturally.
Why are my teeth yellow if I've tried everything? ›
Poor Oral Hygiene
Yellowing is one of the most obvious. When plaque and tartar accumulate on the surface of your teeth, they can cause stains that appear yellow. But if you fall into the camp of those who brush regularly but still have yellow teeth, the problem may be harsh brushing or using the wrong toothbrush.
Why are my teeth yellow but no cavities? ›
Yellow stains are usually due to eating and drinking dark-colored foods or beverages. It may also mean that you need to improve your oral hygiene. Brown teeth discoloration is a result of smoking or using chewing tobacco.
Myth #2: Yellow teeth are unhealthy.
Teeth that are not perfectly white can still be healthy. The teeth are considered unhealthy if their color is attributed to plaque buildup or staining. Having off-white teeth is often healthy.
Can enamel grow back? ›
Because tooth enamel does not consist of living cells, it does not grow back or repair naturally. However, while you cannot repair your enamel, you can help your teeth remineralize. Remineralizing your enamel means restoring some of its minerals to help recoup the loss of your protective enamel.
Why are my teeth yellow if I brush every day? ›
Elements such as chromogen, acids, and tannins in your food can stain your teeth over time. Tea & coffee: These are two major culprits for staining your teeth as they are super high in acids and tannins. The surface stains from consuming these two beverages build up over time, making them hard to remove.
Why are my teeth so bad even though I brush? ›
There are several reasons as to why your teeth are bad even after brushing them. Some of the most common causes include: not using the right toothpaste, not flossing, brushing too hard, and not brushing your teeth for a long enough time.
Can you reverse teeth yellowing? ›
If the tooth discoloration is not severe, you may be able to reverse it just through the lifestyle changes explored earlier. If the tooth discoloration is severe, your options include: Veneers and bondings. Over-the-counter whitening agents.
Why are my teeth so yellow for no reason? ›
Yellow stains are usually due to eating and drinking dark-colored foods or beverages. It may also mean that you need to improve your oral hygiene. Brown teeth discoloration is a result of smoking or using chewing tobacco.
Why are my teeth still yellow after dental cleaning? ›
You may have a yellow bacterial film called ? plaque? that occurs naturally in mouth that can build up. If not removed it hardens to form tartar. Advise deep cleaning, polishing, whitening (bleaching) procedures, artificial enamel filling or capping.
Can teeth be permanently yellow? ›
Age, injuries, trauma, medications, disease and genetics can all be causes for teeth discolouring and becoming yellow in colour. Yellow teeth caused by genetics, age, illness or injury are permanent and need professional dental attention to address.
How to make yellow teeth white? ›
Here are six ways for you to naturally whiten your teeth without the use of any harmful chemicals:
- First things first, brush your teeth regularly: ...
- Oil pulling: ...
- Brush with baking soda and hydrogen peroxide paste: ...
- Rub banana, orange, or lemon peels: ...
- Take a diet rich in fruits and vegetables: ...
- Go to the dentist: