There are a few other discolorations that whitening procedures cannot change. If you took tetracycline as a kid, say for an ear infection, you might have antibiotic staining of the teeth. Or if your teeth suffered trauma when you were young and your enamel was still forming, whitening won't work.
Teeth that have yellowed with age
As we age, the enamel becomes thinner due to wear and tear, revealing the underlying layer of tooth structure called dentin. Dentin is naturally yellowish and cannot be lightened with teeth whitening products.
Also, if you have poor oral health or an underlying medical condition that affects the teeth, the teeth whitening procedure may make the teeth yellow. This is because the dentin has a yellowish hue under the enamel. So, when the enamel thins, your teeth become translucent and may look yellow.
Are all teeth susceptible to whitening? All teeth do not reach the same whiteness. Each tooth has its maximum whiteness beyond which it will not whiten, regardless of the technique or material used.
It is concerning that the tooth isn't responding to surface whitening. It is possible it may have been traumatized or may even be dead at this point. When a tooth turns gray from the outside, it is possible that the inside pulp is dying and it is showing up almost like a bruise.
While a yellow hue near the gum line can be an early sign of tooth decay, gum disease, and other dental problems—it is usually an indication of dental plaque or tartar. Dental plaque develops due to bacteria in the mouth combined with food byproducts and proteins.
Can my teeth become white again after turning yellow? Yes, there are a number of ways that you can help whiten teeth again after they have yellowed, from changing toothpaste and mouthwash to dental hygiene appointments.
Yellow teeth can be completely whitened with teeth whitening technologies at the dentist or at home. Depending on the status of your yellow teeth as well as your needs, the doctor will advise and prescribe the appropriate method.
Fortunately, if your teeth are stained or yellowed, professional teeth whitening can help restore their natural colour.
Even with daily brushing, certain foods and drinks can cause stained teeth. For example, frequently drinking coffee, tea and wine can all lead to yellow teeth. In addition, even regular brushing cannot always combat yellow teeth caused by smoking cigarettes.
Consuming Certain Foods and Drinks
“Certain foods that are high in tannins, such as red wine, are potential causes of yellow teeth,” notes Crest. Other teeth-staining foods include coffee, citrus fruits and juices, soft drinks, teas, berries, tomato-based sauces, curry, balsamic vinegar, and soy sauce.
Brushing your teeth diligently helps remove harmful plaque and bacteria from your teeth but isn't effective whiten them.
Healthy teeth are naturally an off-white or slightly yellow hue, so don't be alarmed if they're not blindingly white. But if you would like to achieve a brighter smile, always contact your dentist for treatment – it's the safest option for your grin!
For about two to six weeks, you can use dentist-recommended whitening toothpaste and brush twice a day. You can use a certified whitening mouthwash which usually takes about three months to produce visible results. Whitening strips are the most compelling in-house treatments that last up to six months.
Yellow Teeth
A light-yellow color indicates a strong healthy smile. The natural color of your dentin, the layer of tiny tubules that lies beneath your enamel and connects to the dental nerve in each tooth, is yellow.
Make your teeth look whiter – Darker shades like royal/navy blue, purple, and even black can make the color of your teeth appear whiter. Even so, be aware that colors like dark green and brown can look like food.
Aging: As you age, the outer layer of enamel on your teeth gets worn away exposing the yellow dentin. Your tooth dentin also grows as you age, which decreases the size of the pulp. The translucency of the tooth reduces, making it look darker. Genetics: Thicker and whiter enamel runs in some families.
Teeth ultimately turn yellow as you get older, when enamel wears away from chewing and exposure to acids from food and drink. Most teeth turn yellow as this enamel thins with age, but some take on a greyish shade when mixed with a lasting food stain.
Thick dentin plus thin enamel is what causes these teeth to appear more yellow than others. So as the enamel thins on all your teeth, these will always look the darkest. You no longer need to worry that you are doing a bad job brushing, it is all genetics.
Everyone's teeth get a little duller with age because the outer enamel layer thins out over time. Beneath this white enamel layer is dentin, which is yellowish. Additionally, this yellow dentin grows thicker as you age, making your teeth look more yellow or duller every year.
Dental Bonding
The bonding material is a biocompatible resin. This resin can be molded and shaped to fit whatever tooth has discoloration. The resin can also be color-matched to the rest of your smile or made to be as white as you'd like. Dental bonding can be done in a quick visit to your dentist.
Some people still have naturally whiter teeth than others. Maybe it's a result of good oral hygiene, maybe it's just good genetics, or maybe they're just young enough that their teeth haven't started yellowing yet. Unfortunately, all of our teeth tend to yellow and discolor with age.
Does Leaving Toothpaste on Your Teeth Help Whiten Them? Whitening toothpaste may remove surface stains but leaving the paste on longer will not get your teeth whiter.