Can Yellow Teeth Really Become White? Here Is The Truth (2023)

FAQs

Can extremely yellow teeth become white? ›

What Can Be Done to Whiten Yellow Teeth? If you're looking for a radical change in the coloring of your teeth, you need professional-grade whitening to get the job done. Your cosmetic dentist can provide treatment that penetrates deep into the enamel and removes years of stains with a powerful bleaching agent.

The good news is that even naturally yellow teeth can be whitened, and kept white, if you understand the causes behind tooth discoloration.

For about two to six weeks, you can use dentist-recommended whitening toothpaste and brush twice a day. You can use a certified whitening mouthwash which usually takes about three months to produce visible results. Whitening strips are the most compelling in-house treatments that last up to six months.

Many people find that using a paste of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide helps to get rid of yellow tooth stains. The paste should contain only one tablespoon of baking soda and one tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide. Always thoroughly rinse your mouth after you have used the paste.

Get a Professional Whitening Done

The most effective way to fix tooth decoloration, at least, without getting “new” teeth, is to get professional whitening done at your local dentist office.

Frequently drinking wine, tea, or coffee and eating certain staining foods affects the shade of your tooth enamel. These foods and beverages leave color particles on your tooth's surface that penetrate your tooth enamel over time, leaving you with yellow or dull-looking teeth.

Consuming Certain Foods and Drinks

“Certain foods that are high in tannins, such as red wine, are potential causes of yellow teeth,” notes Crest. Other teeth-staining foods include coffee, citrus fruits and juices, soft drinks, teas, berries, tomato-based sauces, curry, balsamic vinegar, and soy sauce.

Myth: A yellow color means your teeth are unhealthy

While it's true that plaque buildup can amplify yellow tones in the teeth, having yellow teeth does not necessarily mean your teeth aren't healthy.

If your teeth have biofilm or plaque buildup, this can prevent the bleaching agent from reaching the target stains. Before considering any teeth whitening treatment, it is a good idea to schedule an appointment for a dental cleaning. These cleanings remove all signs of biofilm and plaque on the surface of your teeth.

Is it too late to whiten teeth? ›

Teeth whitening treatment is a big step towards a more confident, happier you, and it's never too late to bring out those pearly whites!

Enamel is on the surface of every tooth and it has a natural hue of white. However, the underlying dentin layer has a slightly yellowish color. This yellowish hue shows through the enamel in almost everyone, but more so for those with naturally thinner or more translucent enamel.

Yes, most stains can easily be lifted from the teeth with professional whitening treatments. The strength of our treatments help patients transform their smile to a dazzling white! It is important to note that internal stains are more difficult to remove.

Their Permanent Teeth Are Starting to Come in

If your child is about 6-7 years old and their permanent teeth have started to erupt, you may notice that their permanent teeth look quite a bit more yellow than their baby teeth.

Coffee and tea are two of the most common causes of yellow teeth, but red and white wine are also to blame. Other culprits include dark and light sodas and sports drinks with artificial flavoring.

The cost of teeth whitening can vary quite significantly from product to product, procedure to procedure. Professional, in-office teeth whitening is the most expensive option with a national average of $650 per visit (pricing can vary between $500 to $1,000).

You may not be a candidate for teeth whitening. If you are allergic to peroxide, you will not be able to have your teeth whitened, since peroxide is the active ingredient in whitening systems. If you have a lot of fillings, dental bonding or crowns, you may not be a candidate for dental whitening.

When used twice a day, whitening toothpaste can take from two to six weeks to make teeth appear whiter. Whitening toothpastes that contain blue covarine can have an immediate effect.

Hydrogen peroxide is an inexpensive household product you probably have on hand right now. When used carefully, it can be an effective way to whiten your teeth. But if used incorrectly — in concentrations that are too high or if used too often — it can cause serious and sometimes expensive tooth damage.

Generally at this concentration you would need to have your teeth in contact with the 3% hydrogen peroxide for about 5 hours a day for about 2-3 weeks to have meaningful tooth whitening, which is very difficult to do with a watery liquid.

Can your teeth go from yellow to white by brushing? ›

Tooth Brushing Isn't Meant to Whiten Teeth

Brushing twice a day (or more if recommended by a dentist) is essential, as it removes plaque and prevents cavities. The bristle action of a toothbrush won't whiten teeth, though, and even whitening toothpastes can only have a limited effect on the surface of teeth.

“Some people have very white enamel―the thin coating on the surface of teeth―while other people's enamel has a more yellow hue,” says Richard Price, a dentist in Newton, Massachusetts, and a spokesperson for the American Dental Association. Environmental factors play a role, too.

Many people notice that their teeth are more yellow near the gum line than the tips of their teeth. While a yellow hue near the gum line can be an early sign of tooth decay, gum disease, and other dental problems—it is usually an indication of dental plaque or tartar.

Simple lifestyle changes can help prevent teeth discoloration. For instance, cutting back or quitting habits like smoking and drinking coffee can minimize your chances of developing yellow teeth. Using a straw while drinking coffee/teas can also help discoloration. Practicing proper dental hygiene is also helpful.

Use Hydrogen Peroxide and Baking Soda

Using this mixture removes bacteria and buildup of plaque to get rid of surface stains. Create a hydrogen peroxide and baking soda paste and use it to brush your teeth. After that, use water to rinse the mouth. You can also create a mouthwash using equal amounts of each ingredient.

Even with daily brushing, certain foods and drinks can cause stained teeth. For example, frequently drinking coffee, tea and wine can all lead to yellow teeth. In addition, even regular brushing cannot always combat yellow teeth caused by smoking cigarettes.

Because there is such a wide range of whitening options, the average teeth bleaching results can last anywhere from six months to three years. In most cases, however, people tend to have results that last about one year.

How often teeth whitening treatments are recommended by dentists. Professional teeth whitening performed in the dentist's office is recommended once every year to every 18 months, depending on how long the results last. At-home kits can be used as often as once every four to six months.

In spite of our obsession with whiter teeth, most healthy teeth tend to have a light yellow hue. The outer layer of your teeth – the enamel – is a blue-white color. The middle layer – the dentin – is a thick tissue with a slightly yellow tinge.

Yellow or discolored teeth can be unattractive causing teeth to look prematurely aged, or dirty. Patients with discolored teeth may feel embarrassed of their smile and hide their smile in photos or while laughing. White, bright smiles can help patients feel more confident in professional and personal interactions.

How long does it take to reverse teeth yellowing? ›

When it comes to teeth whitening, it is essential to understand that the amount of whitening necessary depends on the amount of stain on the teeth. Professional teeth whitening treatment typically takes three to four weeks.

Opt for teeth whitening toothpaste and it will likely take two to six weeks for any results to show. A whitening gel or tray will likely show results within the first couple weeks of treatment.

Brush for at least two minutes twice daily and make sure your toothbrush gets into all the crevices and cracks. To protect your gums, brush in a circular motion- on the inside, outside and teeth chewing surfaces. A 2018 study revealed that using whitening toothpaste can whiten your teeth.

Most of the extrinsic discoloration is reversible especially by reversing the cause of yellowing. It also depends upon the duration of discolorations. Some of the discolorations are too old and stubborn and need special teeth whitening techniques to cure.

One of the common misconceptions about professional teeth whitening is that it works on all teeth, regardless of the type or cause of the discoloration. Although teeth whitening is safe and effective for certain types of stains, it will not work in every situation.

Generally at this concentration you would need to have your teeth in contact with the 3% hydrogen peroxide for about 5 hours a day for about 2-3 weeks to have meaningful tooth whitening, which is very difficult to do with a watery liquid.

The dentist will either apply a protective gel to your gums or a rubber shield, like a mouth guard, before applying a kind of bleach to your teeth. At-home Bleaching: If you can't stay in the office for a few hours, another way a dentist can whiten yellow teeth is by giving you a custom-made tray to do it yourself.