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It is well known that white and healthy teeth enhance the appearance of the person, making the idea of order and cleanliness. Conversely, a smile that "shows off" yellow, stained and opaque teeth spoils the harmony of the face and transmits an image of dirt and poor oral hygiene, typical of those who do not take care of themselves.
But it's not always like this. Having yellow teeth or a more charged color than the much desired whiteness is not always synonymous with poor oral hygiene. Let's find out why.
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The color of each individual's teeth is a strictly individual and unique characteristic. Not all people, in fact, have pure white teeth. Many people, for example, have a naturally yellowish tint to their teeth, just as there are individuals whose teeth have a grayish tint.
Therefore, it is appropriate to "worry" about yellow teeth only when they turn yellow over the course of life, altering their natural color, whether it is white, grayish or yellowish.
In addition to poor eating habits to maintain the natural color of the teeth, dental yellowing can be a consequence of plaque and tartar deposits. Even cariogenic processes are included in the list of possible defendants of yellow teeth: in the initial stage, caries occur in the form of small yellow spots on the damaged tooth.In this regard, we remind you that incorrect oral hygiene, in addition to clearly favoring the formation of cavities, can also be the cause of yellow teeth.
To conclude, we remind you that the "(inevitable) advancement of age favors a" chromatic alteration of the teeth, whose color often tends to fade from pale yellow to brownish. In any case, it must be emphasized that the color of the teeth is genetically predisposed , and is influenced by both the thickness of the enamel and the underlying dentin.
rich in coffee, licorice, colored drinks and gummy candies is one of the most frequent causes of yellow teeth, it is a good rule to consider the consumption of these foods. When you really cannot do without it, after having taken coffee, licorice or other "enemy" foods of the teeth, it is advisable to immediately resort to toothpaste and a toothbrush.Furthermore, smoking is a vice that should be eliminated. Heavy smokers, as well as lovers of chewing tobacco, find themselves dealing with typically yellowish teeth; therefore, it is advisable to minimize the number of cigarettes throughout the day or - even better - quitting smoking.
For the prevention of yellow teeth, it is always recommended a "thorough daily dental hygiene (use toothbrush and toothpaste at least three times a day, and dental floss once a day) and a professional dentist (every 6-12 months). .
, indicated for yellow teeth.Among the most noteworthy natural remedies, we remember:
- Sodium bicarbonate: remedy against yellow teeth, to be used in any case in moderation. Excessive use of toothpastes or baking soda powders can damage tooth enamel, paradoxically favoring the formation of stains, cariogenic processes, gingival bleeding, dental hypersensitivity and even pulpitis.
- Sage: A fresh sage leaf rubbed into the teeth is a relatively effective natural remedy for fighting yellow teeth. At the same time, the use of sage helps to counteract any bad breath problems.
- Malic acid obtained from some fruits. Applied to yellow teeth, strawberry and apple pulp (rich in malic acid) can reduce ocher stains and whiten yellow teeth.
- Lemon (gargling with lemon juice and rubbing its peel directly on the teeth). Lemon is a natural remedy that is particularly suitable for removing yellow stains from teeth damaged by cigarette smoke. However, remember that lemon should not be used daily to whiten yellow teeth: such behavior can cause damage to the enamel due to the excessive acidity of the lemon.
For more information on natural methods to whiten your teeth, see the article: Natural Teeth Whitening.
Chemical Whiteners and Professional Yellow Teeth Whitening
When the yellow patina that covers the teeth is particularly tough to remove with natural remedies, all that remains is to resort to chemical teeth whitening. Also in this case, the possibilities for lightening the teeth from stains are numerous and different:
- Professional bleaching with 35-38% hydrogen peroxide or sodium bicarbonate (to be performed by the dentist).
- Teeth whitening with laser.
- Application of custom soft silicone masks containing carbamide peroxide (other whitening agent).
- Teeth whitening pen ("do it yourself" remedy to whiten yellow teeth).
To learn more, read the articles: Yellow Teeth Remedies and Teeth Whitening Products.
Other articles on "Yellow Teeth"
- Stains on the teeth
- White teeth
- Teeth Whitening
- Teeth whitening products
- Teeth whitening with the laser
- Natural teeth whitening
- Whitening pen for whiter teeth