There are many reasons that your teeth will begin to yellow with age. As the enamel on your teeth begins to wear away, yellow-coloured dentin underneath begins to peak through. Stains also accumulate over time, which often leaves an off-brown or yellow tint, and you can even crack your enamel in an accident or if you grind your teeth which will lead to tooth discolouration. There is a lot you can do to prevent further tooth staining and a few things that can be done to reverse the current stains on your teeth.

Eliminate Future Stains and Surface Stains

Dietary Changes

Making changes to your diet can help prevent any further staining to your teeth. Tannins are one of the biggest offenders when it comes to staining your teeth – wine and tea both have a lot of tannins in them. Coffee, dark soda, and dark juice can also leave stains. Acidic food even can wear down enamel which can lead to teeth looking more yellow. Limiting foods that stain and foods that are acidic, as well as quitting smoking or chewing tobacco (both of which can stain your teeth) are a great way of helping keep your smile white.

Oil Pulling

There is some research that suggests certain oils can help to keep teeth white. Traditionalists use sesame oil, as was used when oil pulling originated in India, but you can also use sunflower oil or coconut oil (though there are many debates over the safety of using coconut oil internally). To perform an oil pull, you take a tablespoon of the oil of your choice and swirl it around your mouth for 15-20 minutes. Oil pulling enthusiasts do this four to five times per week, though some people do it every day. Swishing oil around your mouth creates friction and ends up cleaning your teeth, gums, and mouth of bacteria. Getting rid of bacteria will help keep your teeth from becoming more yellow and can have other health benefits as well.

Brushing with Baking Soda

Baking soda can help remove surface stains from your teeth by acting as an abrasive agent. You just make a paste from the baking soda and water and brush that onto your teeth. It is entirely safe; baking soda is not abrasive enough to ruin your enamel, though it only will tackle surface stains and remove plaque.

Professional Whitening at Lumina Dental in Maple Ridge

If you really want to whiten your teeth, then you need to come in and see us at Lumina Dental. Dr. Thomas Jiang can discuss the different professional whitening treatments that we have available with you. These treatments are more powerful than anything you can get at home, but more importantly, they are doctor administered and safe. Many of the more potent at-home treatments that are available online are not safe to use on your own, and you can end up damaging your teeth and gums or not getting the results you were after.

If you want a whiter, brighter smile, then the best thing to do is to maintain proper oral hygiene, a good diet, and come in for professional whitening services at our dentist office. Contact us today!