Is it Possible to Whiten Yellow Teeth? If so, how do you do it?
You only have to watch television or open a magazine to be inundated with images of models, celebrities and other notable figures with bright, white and attractive smiles. Society subconsciously tells us that the whiter our teeth are, the healthier and more appealing we will look, and the more successful we might be. Unfortunately, most of us have teeth that are naturally much more yellow in appearance. Learn how to whiten yellow teeth below and call our dentist office, Eric Spellman, DMD, for a teeth whitening appointment in Larchmont.
What causes yellow teeth?
Most people naturally assume that yellow teeth occur as a result of poor oral hygiene. While poor brushing almost certainly leads to dental discoloration, it is by far the only contributor. In fact, part of what makes teeth appear yellow is outside of your control.
Contrary to popular belief, teeth are not naturally bright white. Each tooth is made up of multiple layers. These include the pulp in the very center, the dentin which is the middle layer, and the enamel on the outside. Contrary to popular belief, enamel is not actually white, but translucent. Meanwhile dentin has a natural yellowish color to it. In many instances, when the patient has dentin that is very yellow, or has enamel that has eroded significantly, their teeth may appear particularly yellow in color.
Enamel can also be affected by the things that we put in our mouths, including foods and drinks that stain, such as coffee, red wine and red berries, and nicotine if we smoke. Smokers are particularly well known for having yellow teeth due to the nicotine staining that they experience. Ageing also causes teeth to appear darker, as do areas of decay.
Fortunately, it isn’t necessary to live with the effects of a yellow smile. It is possible to whiten yellow teeth and there are a variety of teeth whitening options available that will enable you to do so.
Toothpastes and mouthwashes
There are countless different toothpastes and mouthwashes that contain whitening agents and claim to be able to improve the color of your teeth. The problem is that the grade of whitening agent that is approved to be in these products is extremely low. This means that it takes continual use for them to make any difference to the color of your teeth, and it may be weeks or months before you notice any improvement. You must also continue use or the effects fade very quickly. However, the benefit of these products is that they are inexpensive and widely available.
Teeth whitening kits
If you are after a faster and more obvious result, then you may wish to consider teeth whitening kits. These can be picked up online, over the counter or even on some home shopping channels. You must paste the whitening agent on to your teeth then use a special light to trigger the chemical reaction that causes them to whiten. These are slightly more expensive than toothpastes and mouthwashes as you might expect. They can also be tricky to apply yourself, with many patients finding that they get the bleaching agent on their gums and other oral soft tissue, which can cause irritation and soreness. Inconsistent results are also common.
In-office whitening
When it comes to achieving the whitest and brightest smile, the best option for patients is in-office teeth whitening with our cosmetic dentist, Dr. Eric Spellman. This is carried out by your dentist and uses the highest approved grades of bleaching agent, meaning you can obtain the best results with fewer applications. Some patients may only need one appointment to achieve the whiteness that they desire. The steady hand and experience of your dentist also means minimal complications and a consistent application across your teeth, ensuring your new smile is as naturally attractive as possible.
Contact Us
If you have teeth that appear yellow and would like to learn more about whitening your smile, our experienced dental team would be happy to help. Please contact our Larchmont, NY office with your query or to arrange an appointment to assess the suitability of your smile for our teeth whitening services.