Can I get my yellow teeth white again?

It’s one of the most frequent questions asked in Duxton Dental clinics in Christchurch, ‘Can I get my yellow teeth white again?’ or the variation of ‘Why are my teeth yellow when I brush them every day?’. The good news is yes, the majority of patients can transform their yellow teeth with professional teeth whitening.

If you suffer from yellow teeth, you likely have Googled the best way to get white teeth. No matter what you’ve read, your first port of call should be to access local cosmetic dentistry services. Before we deep dive into the reasons why, it’s important to bust some common misconceptions about staining and the colour of teeth.

·        Teeth are not naturally white

Although Hollywood films would have you believe otherwise, teeth are not ever naturally pearly white. The parts of your teeth that are visible above the gum line are dentin and enamel. Dentin is naturally a darker and yellow tissue and makes up the main bulk of a tooth. Enamel is whiter and protects the dentin but thins through wear and tear; hence teeth gain a more yellow appearance as we age.

·        Teeth get stained everyday

Teeth get stained through normal everyday activities and through lifestyle choices. What you consume influences the colour of your teeth. Eating colourful foods such as berries and tomato-based recipes; drinking coffee, cola and red wine also stain teeth. Smoking and some medications also cause tooth discolouration.

·        You don’t brush your teeth to get white teeth

This is a major mistaken belief in dental care. You do not brush your teeth to keep them white. You brush your teeth to remove damaging bacteria and the build-up of plaque. Yes, the plaque presents as a brown or yellow material, but you brush your teeth to prevent cavities form and to protect from tooth decay. You cannot correct yellow teeth through brushing alone.