Yellow teeth can make people self-conscious and keep them from smiling. Many things can cause yellow teeth, including genetics. Most of the time, however, stains are the only thing that stands in the way of a confident smile.
Keeping teeth white is harder than it seems because so many things can discolor them. Some stains respond to home remedies while others require professional whitening. Of the many dental treatments available in Visalia, bleaching teeth Visalia is a common one.
What Causes Yellow Teeth?
Even proper teeth maintenance can leave teeth looking yellow and lackluster. Daily encounters with coffee, tea, wine and other foods make it hard to keep teeth white. Smoking and medications also affect teeth, often turning them a yellow hue.
For smokers, the yellow stains result from a buildup of nicotine, tar and other substances in tobacco smoke. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), tobacco smoke yellows not only the teeth but also the fingernails.
Some foods and beverages can also cause yellow stains on the teeth. Coffee, tea, cola, wine and many different foods contain organic tannins and commercial dyes that discolor the teeth.
Medications such as tetracycline and other antibiotics can cause permanent discoloration. If given to children younger than 8 years of age, they can cause permanent yellow or gray teeth.
For some people, genetics are responsible for yellow teeth. Yellow may be the natural hue of teeth enamel. Genetic disorders can also affect teeth color. Sometimes, yellow teeth are simply the result of poor hygiene.
How Do Yellow Teeth Get White?
The treatment for yellow teeth depends on the cause and severity of discoloration. Mild stains may benefit from baking soda toothpaste or over-the-counter whitening gels or strips. For serious stains, bleaching teeth Visalia is a good way to get yellow teeth white again.
Professional teeth whitening delivers big results in a short amount of time. Under the supervision of a Visalia dentist, in-office teeth whitening usually starts with teeth polishing, which uses pumice to remove plaque. This is followed by a teeth whitening procedure that uses hydrogen peroxide or another liquid solution. Some dentists use a laser to activate the peroxide.
Professinal teeth whitening normally takes between 30 and 60 minutes. After the optimum time has passed, the treated teeth are rinsed with water. Some dentists apply fluoride to minimize the sensitivity associated with teeth whitening.
People who choose bleaching teeth Visalia to get rid of yellow stains must be careful to avoid re-staining their teeth. They are usually advised to avoid highly-pigmented foods and beverages for at least 24 hours after the dental procedure. This enables the teeth enamel pores to close and prevent further staining.
