Help! My Teeth are Yellow

Your teeth speak volumes. They tell the world all your secrets, like your age, when you last brushed your teeth, and even what you had for lunch. They even speak when your mouth is closed, telling onlookers you’re embarrassed to smile because your teeth have yellowed.

You can change the script with professional teeth whitening. At Los Gatos Family Dental, Dr. Tyler Young, and our team offer the most advanced whitening system available so you can go home with brighter teeth — up to eight shades whiter — after just one visit. Here’s what you need to know.

What causes yellow teeth?

Several factors contribute to dingy-looking teeth. 

Genetics

Most people assume that teeth should be bright white, and anything short of that standard needs to be corrected, but that’s not true. Healthy teeth come in multiple shades, from light gray and ivory to reddish brown. Your tooth shade depends on the genes passed down from your parents.

Food and drink stains

Stains from the foods and drinks you consume are common culprits. Dark berries, juices, highly pigmented spices, coffee, tea, and red wine can discolor your teeth.

Tobacco

Whether you smoke or chew tobacco, the nicotine coats your teeth and leaves them looking yellowish-brown.

Injury

A blow to your mouth can injure a tooth even if you don’t see any cracks or chips. If the tooth root becomes damaged, it can lead to discoloration.

Wear

After years of use, the enamel on your teeth wears down and reveals the yellow dentin layer below. That’s why yellow teeth are often associated with older age. However, if you grind your teeth, you may accelerate the wearing process, and your yellow dentin may show through prematurely. 

How to brighten yellow teeth

Any movie buff can tell you that the one prerequisite for all Hollywood actors is a dazzling white smile, but the A-listers didn’t rise to stardom based on their stellar pearly whites. When nature doesn’t give them the bright teeth they need to get the role, they take matters into their own hands, and so can you. The best way to address this depends on the reason for the stains and discoloration.

Avoid teeth-staining foods

If consumables are to blame, cut back on the worst offenders. Rinse your mouth vigorously with water after eating food that causes stains. 

Brush and floss

Brushing and flossing regularly are your best at-home defenses against stains. 

Get regular cleanings

For the stains your toothbrush can’t erase, you need the help of our professionals. Our team deep cleans your teeth and checks for any underlying problems that may discolor them at regular appointments twice a year.

Professional teeth whitening

Your local drugstore has a whole aisle dedicated to whitening toothpaste and kits that promise miracles. The truth is, they don’t work very well. That’s because the chemicals used in teeth whitening kits can be harmful if misused, so treatments sold to the general public are intentionally mild and less effective.

In the hands of our experienced professionals, however, teeth whitening is safe and quick. In less than an hour, we can brighten your teeth by up to eight shades.

If you’d prefer to do it more gradually, we can send you home with the same solution to treat yourself at your convenience in the privacy of your own home. 

With care, your teeth should remain bright for up to four months when you can come back for a touch-up.

Veneers

Some causes of tooth discoloration come from within and a whitening solution won’t fix it. 

Damaged teeth must first undergo repair. Once your teeth are healthy, we can help you decide how to make them white again.

If the enamel has worn away, veneers are an excellent choice. These thin porcelain shells fit over the fronts of your teeth and cover your natural tooth, stains, and all. 

To find out why your teeth are losing their glean and which treatment is the best way to reclaim your pearly whites, call us today or book an appointment online for a consultation at our office in Los Gatos, California. Whiter teeth are closer than you think.