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The enamel or outer covering of the tooth is usually white in color. Enamel transmits the color of dentin which is present beneath it in a tooth. With increasing age, the enamel becomes more translucent and the tooth appears more yellow. The color of dentin vary from person to person. It contributes to the appearance of tooth. Dentin is usually pale yellow in color. So, the yellow color of tooth depends on several factors. It can involve a single tooth, multiple teeth or all the teeth. The yellow color can occur due to stains present on outer surface of the teeth and that is easy to remove. If the color of dentin is dark yellow to brown due to any reason then it is difficult to remove by any home remedies.
Home remedies help to remove only the stains which are present on the surface of the teeth. For other types of staining, proper dental care is necessary. Let’s see how home remedies can help to get rid of yellow teeth.
10 Home Remedies to Get Rid of Yellow Teeth
Home remedies are helpful in removing external stains present on the teeth. They are also helpful as a preventive measure. By using these home remedies one can easily prevent their teeth from getting yellow discoloration and make their smile bright and glowing always.
1. Use Whitening Toothpaste
Use of commercially available whitening toothpaste may help to reduce the yellow color of teeth by removing surface stains. They can improve whiteness. Whitening toothpaste usually contain small amount of hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, which has bleaching effects. These toothpaste also contain larger sized abrasive particles. They help in removing the surface stains caused due to tea, coffee, plaque accumulation. They do not remove dark stains. The larger sized abrasive particles help to remove stains and polish the teeth. Excess use of whitening toothpaste is harmful for teeth. Optic whitening toothbrush and whitening pens are also available over the counter, which help in reducing the yellow discoloration.
Whitening toothpaste does not change the color of teeth nor can they remove the discoloration present in the dentin. The hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide present in it acts as bleaching agent and long term use can cause sensitivity of teeth to both hot and cold stuffs. Bigger sized abrasive particles can cause abrasion of the enamel and ultimately sensitivity and other problems. So they should be used cautiously.
2. Baking Soda
Sodium bicarbonate, commonly known as Baking soda is a common household product. It has many uses such as in cooking, as antacid, cleaning agent etc. It is also used in some toothpaste and mouthwashes and has shown to have better whitening effects. Baking soda in toothpaste removes the plaque effectively and it also has abrasive properties. It works as both chemical and mechanical cleanser. Baking soda, being alkaline in nature,neutralizes the acid produced in the mouth by bacteria. Thereby it also reduces decay of teeth. It does not remove deeper and older stains.
One can try a simple mixture of equal parts of baking soda and water to remove plaque deposits and reduce yellow color of teeth. But this simple mixture does not contain fluoride, which strengthens the teeth and prevent sensitivity. They can cause damage to the enamel. So, regular use of such a mixture is not recommended as it may weaken your teeth and can make them more sensitive instead. One can try toothpastes with baking soda and hydrogen peroxide as they also contain fluoride and the amount of all the ingredients is in appropriate proportion.
Precautions:
One should never use any whitening toothpaste for twice daily. Take consultation from dentist. Use whitening toothpaste only and only according to need. Don’t use them regularly. If sensitivity develops to hot and cold things, first stop use of whitening toothpaste. Start using desensitizing toothpastes or routine ones. Avoid hot and cold stuffs completely for few days.
3. Oil Pulling with Edible Oil
Oil pulling is basically a method to enhance oral hygiene. It involves swishing edible oil such as coconut, olive, sunflower or sesame etc throughout the mouth for 5- 10 minutes. Oil pulling usually remove plaque and bacteria from the mouth and it also helps to reduce the plaque build- up. Plaque deposition is one of the most common cause of yellow discoloration of teeth. By reducing plaque it also helps to reduce gum problems and tooth decay. So, it helps in maintaining oral hygiene as well as healthy teeth and gums.
As there is only little research available to provide scientific data that oil pulling has beneficial effects in tooth whitening, it should not be used regularly. There are several other proved methods to maintain oral hygiene and prevent plaque build- up. So, one should use them instead to reduce plaque build-up and maintain white color of the teeth.
4. Use of Vitamin C & Citrus Fruits
Citrus fruits such as lemon, oranges, limes etc and vitamin C increase salivation in the mouth. Increased salivation helps in cleansing of plaque and debris on the teeth, thereby reducing yellow discoloration of the teeth. They also help to prevent gum diseases, periodontitis and looseness of teeth which aggravates plaque deposition on the teeth causing yellow teeth. So, add vitamin C and citrus fruits to the diet and have a glowing bright smile.
5. Maintaining Oral Hygiene
Plaque and debris deposition on the teeth is a common cause of yellow coloration of teeth, if your teeth are naturally white. Maintaining oral hygiene prevents plaque accumulation and thereby maintains the natural white colour and glow. So, always brush twice daily and do flossing regularly. Brushing just before going to bed is necessary to maintain oral hygiene. Do brushing with proper technique and clean each and every surface of teeth properly. All these good practices help to prevent yellow discoloration.
6. Drinking Water Quality Monitoring
One of the most common reason of internal yellowness of teeth is fluorosis. Fluoride is naturally present in the water. Dental fluorosis occurs because of the presence of excess amount of fluoride at the time of tooth formation. Usually it occurs due to increased fluoride in the drinking water. It can also occur due to inappropriate use of fluoridated toothpaste and mouthwash in children. They might swallow and increase in fluoride in the body causes this. Fluoride is also present in other foods and drinks. Fluorosis causes yellow to brown discoloration and also mottling of the teeth. Even a small increase in the fluoride content can cause dental fluorosis. Excess fluoride also affects the bones. So, everyone should monitor the water quality and fluoride content in the drinking water.
7. Use of Raw Vegetables and Fruits
Consumption of raw vegetables and fruits helps in cleaning of the teeth and prevents plaque accumulation. They also contain good amounts of dietary fibers which mechanically helps in cleaning teeth and also improves digestion. So, try to avoid junk foods as snacks and munch on raw vegetables and fruits. Along with maintaining health it will also help in oral hygiene and glowing smile.
8. Avoid Frequent Use of Tea or Coffee
Tea or coffee stains on the teeth are common reason of yellowness of teeth in persons having naturally white teeth. So, avoid frequent use of tea or coffee to avoid the stains. One can also have sugar free chewing gums after having tea or coffee. This will increase the salivation and consequently dilute the saliva containing traces of tea or coffee. It will help in preventing the stains.
9. Avoid Smoking and Tobacco
Smoking cigarettes, Bidi etc and chewing or smokeless tobacco cause yellow to brown stains on the teeth. These stains are difficult to remove. Tobacco and its products are also harmful for not only oral hygiene but also for health. So, avoid smoking and tobacco and prevent stains.
10. Use only Prescribed Medications
Inappropriate use of antibiotics such as tetracycline etc in children also cause yellow discoloration of teeth. So, never use any medication without doctor’s consultation.
Causes of Yellow Teeth
Yellow discoloration of teeth can occur due to various reasons. External factors cause yellow staining of the teeth and this can be prevented and removed easily. These include tea, coffee stains, staining due to colored foods, tobacco smoking and chewing tobacco, poor oral hygiene, red wine, ageing, excess use of mouthwash etc. In some persons the teeth are naturally of yellowish or brownish yellow colored. There are many factors at the time of birth or before birth or after birth, which cause this. These factors are known as internal factors. Internal factors include increased fluoride in drinking water, use of tetracycline medicine, trauma etc.
Yellow teeth look unaesthetic and it can be caused by several factors. Some of them are inevitable whereas some can be prevented or reduced. The above mentioned home remedies help to reduce or prevent yellow discoloration of the teeth. Above all maintain oral hygiene and thereby maintain your natural glow and whiteness of the teeth.
