Having yellow teeth can be embarrassing and make you feel self-conscious about smiling or laughing. Many people wonder if it’s possible to reverse years of yellowing and staining to get their bright, white smile back. The good news is that in most cases, yellow teeth can be reversed, but it requires effort and commitment to an improved oral hygiene routine. There are several effective methods for whitening and brightening discolored teeth at home and professionally.
What Causes Yellow Teeth?
There are several common causes of yellow teeth:
- Food and Drink Staining: Coffee, tea, red wine, and dark berries can discolor teeth over time.
- Tobacco Use: Nicotine and tar stick to teeth and cause staining.
- Certain Medications: Some prescription drugs like tetracycline can lead to tooth discoloration.
- Genetics: Naturally thinner enamel allows more of the yellowy dentin underneath to show through.
- Aging: As enamel thins over time, yellowing becomes more noticeable.
- Trauma: Injuries to the teeth or nerve can disrupt the normal color.
- Excessive Fluoride: Overexposure to fluoride as a child may lead to dental fluorosis.
The degree of staining and discoloration can range from slight yellowing to almost brown depending on the foods, habits, and medications. Understanding the source of staining can help determine the best methods for reversal.
Can You Reverse Yellow Teeth Completely?
For most people, it is possible to significantly reverse years of yellowing and staining. However, severely discolored or stained teeth may retain a yellow tinge even after intensive whitening treatments.
Here are some factors that influence the degree of reversal:
- Original Shade: Light yellow stains are easier to remove than dark brown discoloration.
- Cause of Staining: Surface stains from food and drink are simpler to remove than internalized staining from medications, fluorosis, or trauma.
- Tooth Structure: Teeth with thinner enamel whiten less than those with thicker, stronger enamel.
- Age: Younger teeth tend to whiten better and faster than older teeth.
While perfectly white teeth may not be realistic for all cases of yellowing, most people can achieve significant improvement in their tooth color and brightness.
Professional Whitening From a Dentist
Seeing a dentist for in-office whitening treatments can provide some of the most dramatic results for reversing yellow teeth. There are two main professional options:
In-Office Whitening
In-office whitening involves applying a high-concentration peroxide-based gel directly to the teeth and using a specialized light to accelerate the whitening. Results are seen after just one 30-60 minute treatment, but several may be recommended for maximum effect.
Custom-Fit Whitening Trays
Your dentist can take impressions of your teeth and have customized plastic whitening trays fabricated. You are given whitening gel to place in the trays at home daily or overnight for a couple weeks. This gradual approach leads to subtle but noticeable lightening over time.
Professional whitening is typically the most effective option for severe discoloration. However, it tends to be more expensive than over-the-counter methods. Talk to your dentist to determine the best whitening treatments tailored for the degree of yellowing you are experiencing.
Over-the-Counter Whitening Products
There are a variety of whitening products available over-the-counter that can help reverse many cases of yellow teeth. These are affordable DIY methods you can do from the comfort of home. Some popular options include:
Whitening Toothpastes
Whitening toothpastes contain mild abrasives and chemical polishers to help physically scrub away stains from the tooth enamel. While results take weeks to months of regular use, these can help maintain a whiter smile.
Whitening Strips
Whitening strips coated with peroxide gel mold to the teeth and are worn for 30 minutes or longer. Using them daily over the course of treatment can lift away deep-set stains.
Whitening Trays With Gel
Custom fitted or boil-and-bite trays are filled with peroxide gel and worn for 1-2 hours per day over a couple weeks. This gradual exposure to whitening gel makes them gentler than strips.
Whitening Toothbrushes
Electric toothbrushes with built-in blue LED lights and heat acceleration work double-duty to brush away staining and enhance the whitening effects of toothpaste.
Over-the-counter options lead to gradual lightening over time. They work well for mild discoloration but may not be intensive enough for severe yellowing. Still, they provide an affordable at-home solution.
Natural Teeth Whitening Methods
If you prefer a more natural approach, there are some home remedies that may help gently reverse yellowing:
Baking Soda
Baking soda acts as a mild abrasive to scrub stains away and contains natural whitening properties. Make a paste with water and brush onto teeth weekly.
Hydrogen Peroxide
As a bleaching agent, hydrogen peroxide can lift intrinsic stains when used as a mouthwash. Dilute in water and swish daily.
Fruits and Vegetables
Pineapple, strawberries, oranges, carrots, and celery help mechanically scrub teeth and contain enzymes that whiten.
Activated Charcoal
Charcoal absorbs toxins and stains from the teeth. It can be used in toothpaste or powder form but may be abrasive with overuse.
While home remedies lead to gradual lightening over weeks to months, they can be a gentler option for those concerned about chemicals.
Lifestyle Changes For a Whiter Smile
The most effective way to reverse yellow teeth long-term is to pair whitening treatments with positive lifestyle habits. Here are some tips for keeping teeth white after reversing the yellowing:
- Brush twice daily with a whitening toothpaste.
- Floss daily to remove plaque that stains teeth.
- Use mouthwash to prevent bacteria growth.
- Drink water instead of staining beverages like coffee, tea, and wine.
- Limit acidic drinks that erode enamel like soda and juice.
- Quit smoking and tobacco use which discolors teeth.
- Get regular dental cleanings every 6 months.
Making oral hygiene a priority helps avoid new stains so results last. Enhance your efforts by having whitening touch-ups periodically.
When to See Your Dentist
It’s a good idea to get an evaluation from your dentist before using any over-the-counter whitening products. A dental exam can help determine if yellowing is due to surface stains, internal discoloration, or another underlying issue. More serious causes of tooth discoloration include:
- Tooth decay or infection
- Exposed inner tooth layers from enamel loss
- Trauma causing pulp damage
- Nerve damage from injury or aging
- Dental restorations in need of replacement
Professional whitening could worsen some of these conditions, so it’s important your dentist identifies any problems needing treatment first. Getting any necessary dental work completed can help starting the whitening process on the healthiest foundation.
Risks and Side Effects
Tooth whitening is generally safe when products are used as directed, but some people experience increased sensitivity or gum irritation. This is most common with peroxide-based whitening. Side effects are usually temporary, but discuss any concerns with your dentist.
Overuse of abrasive whitening toothpastes could eventually wear away enamel. Additionally, hydrogen peroxide and swallowing charcoal can be hazardous, so use caution with those home remedies.
How Long Do Results Last?
Depending on the original degree of yellowing and method used, teeth whitening results can last from a few months up to a few years. However, for heavy coffee or wine drinkers who are prone to staining, touch-up treatments may be needed every 6-12 months.
Avoiding heavily pigmented foods and drinks can help prolong a white smile. Using whitening toothpaste and being diligent with oral hygiene also maintains brightness. Consider getting professional whitening redo treatments annually to keep your smile looking its best.
Conclusion
Reversing yellow teeth back to a naturally white color is possible with determination and commitment to improved oral health habits. While professional whitening offers the most dramatic results, even over-the-counter products and natural remedies can noticeably brighten a discolored smile. Just be sure to get any underlying conditions treated first and discuss options with your dentist.
With consistent use of whitening toothpaste, flossing, mouthwash, and touch-up treatments as needed, you can keep your smile looking bright and reverse future yellowing before it develops again. Avoiding staining foods and drinks helps maintain that just-whitened feeling for longer. A whiter, more vibrant smile gives you the confidence to laugh out loud!