Help! Why Are My Teeth Yellow and What Can I Do About It?

A pearly white smile is in your future!
Picture this: you’re completing your daily routine of brushing and flossing when you look in the mirror and shockingly notice yellow teeth peering back at you. This unsightly color and other tooth discolorations, though not a dental emergency, are a cosmetic problem that can hinder both your confidence and smile’s appearance.
There are many reasons why your once dazzling smile is now dull and yellow, ranging from genetics to lifestyle choices. But there is some good news—several effective methods are available to restore your pearly whites! Read on to learn more.
Common Causes of Yellow Teeth
Discoloration can occur gradually, and as such, it is easy to overlook until, one day, a lackluster smile is staring back at you in the mirror. Understanding the common causes of tooth staining can help you keep your smile looking its best.
- Food and Beverage: Frequently consuming staining foods and drinks like berries, coffee, tea, and red wine can leave color particles on your teeth’s surfaces and impact the color of your tooth enamel. These are called extrinsic stains and can typically be removed with professional cleanings.
- Smoking or Tobacco Use: Most people already know this, but smoking and tobacco use can cause stained, brown teeth, not to mention bad breath. Over time, the tar in these products accumulates on the tooth enamel, discoloring teeth. Even with routine brushing and flossing, reversing the discoloration caused by these habits can be challenging.
- Aging and Thinning Enamel: As you age, tooth enamel naturally becomes thinner, causing the yellow dentin layer underneath to show through. If this issue remains untreated, staining can become more evident over the years.
- Poor Oral Hygiene: Without proper oral hygiene habits, plaque and tartar will be able to accumulate, leading to yellow or stained teeth. As you brush daily, you polish your teeth and remove these particles.
Whitening Options at Sensational Smiles
At Sensational Smiles in Sioux Falls, we offer two primary tooth-whitening methods.
In-Office Treatment
A professional in-office treatment is the fastest, most effective way to get results. Our office uses the Colgate Optic White system, designed for those who wish to say goodbye to yellow teeth without waiting weeks for the product to work.
Unlike store-bought whitening methods that require multiple applications, Colgate Optic White, a professional-strength treatment, uses hydrogen peroxide to lift deep stains from the enamel and give you fast, noticeable results in a single appointment. This is one of the reasons it is a convenient solution for busy people.
Whether you are getting ready for a special occasion or want to improve your smile, we can help you get noticeably whiter teeth with minimal effort. Additionally, Colgate has a trusted formula that ensures your enamel remains safe.
Take-Home Kits
Our take-home whitening kit is a convenient way to brighten your smile at home. Unlike over-the-counter options, these kits include custom trays that are designed to fit your teeth for maximum coverage and minimal gum irritation. Using a professional-grade whitening gel with your custom trays will remove surface stains and penetrate deeply to reach intrinsic stains caused by aging or some medications.
These trays must be worn according to the strength of the gel we supply, revealing a whiter, more brilliant smile over time. By following our guidelines, you’ll have the right strength of whitening gel to achieve safe yet noticeable results. Additionally, these trays are reusable, so you can maintain your results with touch-ups as needed.
How to Maintain Your Bright Smile
After spending your hard-earned money to brighten your smile, you’ll want to maintain your results. Although you can’t stop the effects of aging, you can make lifestyle changes that will help your teeth remain whiter longer.
- Avoid Stain-Causing Foods and Beverages: It can be challenging to stop consuming your favorite foods and drinks, but it may be necessary to maintain your new white smile. If you need to have your daily cup of coffee or soda, consider using a straw. This simple change can help dark-colored drinks bypass the teeth.
- Brush Your Teeth: To remove plaque and tartar, you must commit to brushing your teeth for two minutes twice a day and flossing once daily. Brushing after eating can also help you remove staining particles that may accumulate on your teeth.
- Use a Whitening Toothpaste: Using a toothpaste with whitening agents can help your smile remain bright after other tooth-whitening treatments. Use this toothpaste once or twice a week to maintain your results.
Start your teeth-whitening journey with Sensations Smiles!
If you’d like to discuss your teeth whitening options, contact Sensations Smiles on Phillips or Minnesota Avenue. Our team will determine the most suitable choice for your situation and help you fall in love with your smile again. Call us today!