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If you have yellowed or discolored teeth, you might be wondering how to naturally whiten your teeth. A great smile is usually one of the first things people notice, and you might want to look your best.

Here is some information on what yellows the teeth, as well as natural ways on how to get whiter teeth.

What causes your teeth to turn yellow?

Here are a few reasons that your teeth may be turning yellow:

• Age. As you age, your tooth enamel begins to thin, making it less protective and more likely to turn yellow over time. As the enamel things out, the layer underneath your teeth, known as Dentin, starts to show more, which is a yellowish color.¹
• Foods. The foods you eat may stain your teeth. Some foods that are known to stain teeth include coffee, tea, cola, fruit juice, soy sauce, berries, and fruit juices.²
• Smoking. One of the many negative side effects of smoking is that tar and tobacco can stain the teeth. Some heavy smokers will even experience brown teeth after years of smoking.³
• Medicine. Some medications may stain the teeth as a side effect. If you notice that your teeth are beginning to stain after taking medications, contact a doctor to see if there are any alternatives.
• Tooth grinding. if you have a habit of grinding your teeth, you might be slowly wearing away at the enamel. This could cause discoloration as it wears away.
• Medical conditions. Some medical conditions can cause yellow teeth. If you notice that your teeth are beginning to change color at a rapid pace or in a way that is not normal, reach out to a medical professional.

How to Naturally Whiten Teeth

It’s important to note that there is no easy fix for yellow teeth. However, taking the proper steps can help you lighten your teeth and give you ways to prevent further yellowing.

Whitening toothpaste

Whitening toothpaste is designed to help improve the color of your teeth and give them a more polished look. Many whitening toothpastes contain abrasives and bleaching agents such as silica, pyrophosphates, hydrogen peroxide, or carbamide peroxide, all of which help lighten the teeth. This can make an impact over time if you decide to switch to whitening toothpaste.⁴

Get a Teeth Whitening

Many dentists will offer teeth whitening services as part of their offerings. If you want lighter teeth, you can consult with your dentist and see if they have a treatment option right for you. Additionally, it is safer to get your teeth whitened by a professional than to attempt to do it at home.

Brush Your Teeth After Eating

Brushing your teeth after you eat can help remove substances that may otherwise stain your teeth. You can aim to brush after every meal. There are travel kits available that will allow you to take a toothbrush wherever you go. You should always brush for at least 2 minutes to ensure that you are getting rid of all of the food.

Use Mouthwash

There are mouthwashes available to help clean hard-to-reach areas of your mouth and whiten your teeth. Additionally, you can make your own mouthwash with baking soda and hydrogen peroxide.⁵

Eat Strawberries

Strawberries contain malic acid, which helps to whiten the teeth by breaking down chemicals that cause staining. You can add strawberries to your diet by eating them as a snack or adding them to a recipe such as a salad or smoothie mix.⁶

Use Whitening Gum

Whitening gum is gum that is designed to help protect your teeth from stains. You can chew a piece of gum for ten minutes a day to help remove some of the particles that might cause teeth staining in the long run.⁷

Drink Through a Straw

If you enjoy coffee, tea, or other colored beverages, drinking through a straw can help protect your teeth from staining. You can keep a straw on hand, and there are many travel straw options available.

Avoid Harmful Ideas on Whitening Teeth

When whitening your teeth, there are suggestions on the internet that may not be safe to use. For example, some people believe oil pulling is a great way to whiten the teeth; however, the oil cannot touch the back of your throat, and if swallowed, it could be toxic to the body.

This makes the risk of trying methods such as these not worth whitening your teeth. You may also cause damage to your tooth enamel and gums by using methods that are not safe for the body.

If you are unsure if you should use a certain method to whiten your teeth, reach out to your dentist. They will be able to advise you on effective methods to whiten your teeth that will not endanger your health.

Saber Healthcare

Saber Healthcare is an organization that provides services to more than 130 buildings across the states of Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, North Carolina, Indiana, and Delaware. To learn more about our company and services, click here.

Saber Healthcare is an organization dedicated to providing consultant services to long-term care providers. This article is for informational purposes and is not meant to be seen as professional advice. Please consult with a medical expert before relying on the information provided.

Sources

1. “Why Do Teeth Yellow With Age and What Can I Do About it?” Dentistry in Paradise. Accessed 23 October 2023. Link: https://www.dentistryinparadise.com/blog/why-do-teeth-yellow-with-age-and-what-can-i-do-about-it#:~:text=There%20are%20two%20main%20reasons,of%20both%20of%20these%20factors.
2. Herras-Fountry, Monica. “Top 10 teeth-staining foods.” Bupa. 20 September 2022. Accessed 23 October 2023. Link: https://www.bupa.co.uk/newsroom/ourviews/teeth-staining-foods
3. “Smoking and oral health.” Oral Health Foundation. Accessed 23 October 2023. Link: https://www.dentalhealth.org/smoking-and-oral-health#:~:text=Why%20are%20my%20teeth%20stained,brown%20after%20years%20of%20smoking.
4. Kalliath, Chacko et al. “Comparison between the effect of commercially available chemical teeth whitening paste and teeth whitening paste containing ingredients of herbal origin on human enamel.” Ayu vol. 39,2 (2018): 113-117. doi:10.4103/ayu.AYU_82_18 Link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6369603/#:~:text=Basically%2C%20conventional%20whitening%20toothpaste%20contains,thereby%20lightening%20the%20teeth%20color.
5. Cirino, Erica. Archibald, Jennifer, ed. “How to Get Rid of Yellow Teeth.” Red Ventures, Healthline Media. 14 February 2023. Accessed 23 October 2023. Link: https://www.healthline.com/health/dental-and-oral-health/how-to-get-rid-of-yellow-teeth#_noHeaderPrefixedContent
6. “Strawberries and other Natural Oral Care Solutions.” Children’s Dentistry & Orthodontics. 23 October 2023. Link: https://www.mainstreetsmiles.com/strawberries-and-other-natural-oral-care-solutions
7. “Teeth Whitening Gum: Does It Actually Work?” Glen Burnie Dental Group. 17 August 2023. Link: https://glenburniedentalgroup.com/blog/teeth-whitening-gum-guide/