Ever caught yourself gazing in the mirror at your reflection and wondering why your smile is no longer as white as it once was? You’re not alone. Yellow teeth are a problem for many. But don’t worry; getting your gleaming smile back is in your hands now. Let’s talk about some proven methods to say goodbye to annoying teeth stains and restore the smile that you’re proud of.​

What’s Tooth Discoloration?

As simple as it sounds, getting rid of it can be troublesome. If you’re struggling with stained teeth, let’s learn why teeth get dull before we move on to solutions:

• Food Habits: If you consider yourself a coffee or tea connoisseur or have a habit of drinking red wine, you might get yellow teeth in the long run.​
• Smoking or Tobacco Chewing: Tobacco chewing or smoking deposits nicotine and tar inside your mouth. It causes yellow or brown teeth.​
• Aging Process: As each year passes, the enamel thins out, and it reveals the yellow dentin underneath.
• Poor Dental Hygiene: Lack of a daily brushing and flossing routine can accumulate dental plaque, which stains the teeth.

Home Remedies to Brighten Your Smile

If you prefer natural remedies, try the following:

• Baking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide Paste: Blending the two of them in a solution might yield a mild abrasive paste that can remove surface stains. You must use it with caution, as it can erode the enamel.
• Oil Pulling: Swishing coconut oil throughout your mouth for a few minutes can kill germs and make your mouth healthier and teeth whiter.
• Dietary Changes: Include crunchy veggies and fruits like carrots and apples in your daily diet. They might be used as natural abrasives that can remove stains and restore the smile.

Over-the-Counter Bleaching Products

If you need quick fixes, there are lots of products available:

• Whitening Toothpastes: They contain mild abrasives and chemicals like hydrogen peroxide that erase surface stains with repeated use.
• Whitening Strips and Gels: They contain bleaching chemicals that can lighten teeth a shade or two after routine use.
• Whitening Pens: Easy to use and very affordable, they let you apply whitening gel on your teeth without much hassle. It is best for last-minute touch-ups.

Professional Procedures with a Cosmetic Dentist

For long-term outcomes, a cosmetic dentist in Chicago is the best choice:

• In-Office Whitening: This is a whitening treatment involving the application of high-percentage peroxide gel on the teeth, usually with activated LED light. It can whiten your teeth at least 4 shades in one day.
• Custom Take-Home Trays: Dentists prepare customized trays using professional whitening gel to achieve white teeth at home.
• Veneers: To whiten teeth that won’t whiten, porcelain veneers are a more permanent solution. They bond with your teeth and create a shiny, even finish.

Preventive Practices to Maintain Teeth Whitening

Once you achieve your desired teeth shade, you need to focus on how to maintain it:

• Regular Oral Hygiene: Brushing twice daily, flossing daily, and using an antimicrobial mouthwash reduce plaque buildup.
• Restrict Stain-Producing Foods and Beverages: Steer clear of coffee, tea, red wine, and berries. Quit Smoking: Quitting tobacco products is good for one’s health and reduces teeth stains.
• Scheduled Dental Visits: Arrange visits every six months for professional cleaning and monitoring of oral health.

A Word of Warning

Although the temptation of a whiter smile is irresistible:

• Don’t Overdo It: Over-whitening leaves your teeth super-sensitive and erodes your enamel. Always follow instructions and if in doubt, talk to a dental professional.
• ​Don’t Believe Do-It-Yourself Solutions: Not all do-it-yourself solutions are good. For example, lemon juice has acid in it and can strip the enamel away, resulting in future staining and sensitivity.​

A white smile is a combination of understanding why there is discoloration, knowing how to restore the smile effectively, and preventing stains. If you’re in Chicago and require professional teeth whitening or want to know how to keep your smile as white as possible, give us a call. We can help you determine the best option that suits your requirements.