Maybe you've always wanted a beautiful white smile. Or your teeth have yellowed over time. Or you're not happy with the staining that results from foods and beverages. Whatever your reason for wanting whiter teeth, you're not alone. Just like we all have different hair, eye and skin color, people also have different tooth color. Some teeth are more yellow than others, while others yellow with ageing. 


Causes of  Yellow Teeth

  • Tea, red wine, and blueberries may be full of antioxidants, but they may be standing in the way of your white smile. Coffee and cigarettes leave stains on your teeth.
  • Thin tooth enamel also makes teeth look yellow. Underneath the tooth enamel which is the hard white surface of your teeth, is a pale brown substance called dentin. Thick enamel looks white, but thin enamel allows dentin tones to show through, making teeth look yellow. Enamel naturally wears thin as people age, but acids from foods and drinks such as sour candies, oranges and soda also thin the enamel by eroding its surface.
  • Antibiotic use or excessive fluoride intake in young children can cause yellow-stained adult teeth later. Sometimes yellow teeth just run in the family.
  • Accumulation of plaque and calculus.
  • Trauma to the teeth that may cause a brown, gray or black colour.

What should I whiten my Teeth for ?

  • The boost to your confidence and self-esteem that comes from a great smile.
  • A youthful appearance.
  • A special event such as a wedding, job interview or class reunion.
  • To make a positive first impression on people.
  • To simply reverse years of  day to day staining and yellowing.

The Teeth Whitening Procedure

Discolorations are generally responsive to bleaching procedures, and dentists can advise on how to whiten yellow teeth depending on your case. Whitening can be done in the dental office or at home. Your dentist will examine your teeth and ask you questions to find out what caused the staining. Next, the dentist will clean your teeth to remove the film of bacteria, food and other substances that build up on your teeth and contribute to the staining. Once this is done, the whitening procedure begins.

For whitening at home, your dentist can make trays to hold the whitening gel that fit your teeth. Home whitening gel usually needs to be applied daily for about two weeks. Over-the-counter kits also are widely available for home use. They provide trays to hold the gel, or whitening strips that stick to your teeth. Talk to your dentist if you want to use these home products. Be sure to follow directions to avoid any possible damage to your mouth.


With so many ways to treat yellow teeth, there's no reason to hide a beautiful smile :) Keep Smiling!