Are yellow stains dimming your brilliant smile? And no matter how often you brush, they just don’t seem to go away.
You’re far from alone. Lots of people seek out whitening solutions to rid their teeth of discolouration.
The good news is, with healthy habits, proper dental care, and the tips you’ll find in this guide, you can remove yellow stains from your tooth enamel, and help stop them coming back.
What causes yellow stains?
That morning coffee and afternoon cigarette aren’t doing your teeth any favours. Over time, smoking tobacco and drinking coffee stains your teeth, giving them a yellow look. But that’s not the only thing that causes tooth discolouration.
Thin tooth enamel is the main cause for yellow teeth. Enamel is the hard surface of your teeth, the coating that gives your smile its glistening white colour. But underneath that layer is dentin, a pale brown substance that makes your teeth appear yellow when enamel starts to wear.
Enamel naturally wears as you get older, but eating acidic foods like oranges and lemons or drinking fizzy drinks can erode your enamel faster, leading to tooth discolouration.
Did you know that saliva acts as a neutralising agent? It naturally washes away the acidity in some of the foods we eat. But if you suffer from dry mouth, that acid remains on your teeth, thinning your enamel more quickly.
How to prevent yellow stains on teeth
To prevent teeth staining, you’ll need healthy habits, a dedicated teeth cleaning routine, and regular trips to the dentist for professional cleanings.
We recommend:
- Brushing your teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste
- Rinsing your mouth after eating acidic food like citrus fruits or drinking red wine or fizzy drinks
- Flossing regularly
- Never skipping a check-up (your dentist will catch any early signs of staining or thin enamel)
- Cutting down on coffee and fizzy drinks (or drinking with a straw to stop them from hitting your teeth!)
- Not smoking
Fun fact! Did you know that brushing, flossing, and not snacking between meals allows your saliva to build up and do its job to dilute acids that could threaten your enamel?
How to remove yellow stains from teeth
You deserve a sparkling smile, but yellow stained teeth can leave you feeling self-conscious, even hiding your smile in photos or at social gatherings.
We want to help you get your smile back and see those glistening teeth in all their glory. Here are some helpful ways you can turn your yellow teeth back into pearly whites.
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At home teeth whitening kits
At home kits and whitening toothpaste are great for convenience and removing some tooth discolouration. There’s no need to book in for a dentist appointment, and you can get your teeth shining in the comfort of your own home. You don’t even have to leave the house to buy one these days – in a few clicks you can have it delivered to your door!
There are many types of teeth whitening kits, including pens, strips, and even gels – not to mention the number of brands out there to choose from. With the right kit, you’ll find:
- A convenient way to whiten discoloured teeth between dental appointments
- They’re easy and comfortable to use at home
- You often get quick results – sometimes seeing a noticeable difference in as little as a week
That said, at home whitening results can vary wildly, even over the course of a single kit, leading to patchy or incomplete whitening – frustrating for anybody looking to get rid of surface stains on teeth.
When buying your teeth whitening kit, keep the following in mind:
- Make sure the hydrogen peroxide levels that are below 10%
- Avoid anything with ingredients you’re unsure of
- Don’t use DIY recipes you find online – these can actually erode your enamel!
- Look for kits approved by your dentist
Please note: If you’ve got sensitive teeth, these kits might not be suitable for you. If you wince at just the thought of ice cream hitting your teeth, you might want to give at home teeth whitening kits a miss.
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Home remedies for stain removal teeth whitening
The internet is full of home remedies and DIY recipes for all kinds of things, including treatments for whiter teeth.
But how safe are teeth whitening home remedies? Will they actually help your teeth, or harm them?
Remedies that use ingredients like baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, activated charcoal, and lemon juice to whiten your teeth may give you fast results, but they can also seriously damage your teeth.
These DIY whitening tricks can cause:
- Enamel erosion (which will lead to yellowing teeth)
- Gum irritation
- Potential chemical burns
- Increased tooth sensitivity
- Uneven whitening
- Infections
- Nerve damage
If you’re thinking about using a home remedy to remove stains on teeth, we’d advise getting in touch with your dentist or a dental professional to ensure that the method you’re using is safe for your gums, mouth, and teeth.
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Professional teeth whitening
If you want to remove stains and maintain healthy teeth and gums, consulting with a dental professional is the best way to go. Professional teeth whitening will keep the teeth stains away and keep your smile looking fresher, cleaner and younger!
How does professional teeth whitening work?
The most common method experts use for whitening teeth is a mouth tray, which is ideal for anybody suffering from yellow teeth caused by thin enamel.
A dentist takes an impression of your mouth and creates a model of it. It’s painted with a specialised material which increases the thickness of your tooth area.
Finally, the tray is prepared with a whitening solution added into a small pocket where it won’t come into contact with your gums while it’s in your mouth.
After the tray is removed, your teeth will be happy, healthy, and a whole lot whiter!
Airflow teeth cleaning – what is it?
Before you decide to go for a dental tray, we always recommend that our patients try airflow teeth cleaning. This is a new, modern technique that uses a controlled stream of warm water, air, and a fine powder to remove plaque, teeth stains, and any soft deposits that might be stuck in your teeth and gums.
Unlike scraping, airflow teeth cleaning is a lot more comfortable, especially for those with sensitive teeth. With this method of teeth cleaning you’ll be able to remove teeth stains and achieve a healthy smile.
At Love-Teeth Dental Practice, we’re committed to helping all our patients with their dental desires. We offer exceptional teeth whitening and cleaning services so you can feel confident with your smile again. Call our caring team at 0161 773 7080 today.