Many people have yellowish teeth, even those with excellent dental hygiene. What’s more, yellow teeth aren’t necessarily a sign of anything bad. Depending on what’s causing your yellow teeth, they may still be perfectly healthy. 

Yellow teeth can be a huge insecurity for many, and so it’s common to look for ways to whiten their discolored teeth. 

Here you’ll learn about what causes yellow teeth, remedies you can try at home, and what your treatment options are. For a perfect smile, understand these yellow teeth causes and remedies.

What causes yellow teeth?

There are a few things that can cause yellow teeth. Proper oral hygiene like brushing and flossing regularly and visiting the dentist are all a big help in staving off tooth discoloration. However, even if you follow all of your dentist’s instructions, you might still have yellow teeth because there is another underlying cause. 

Let’s take a look at some common yellow teeth causes.

Food

Just as some foods can stain your clothing, they can also stain your teeth. Coffee and tea are common offenders and you’ll see that older lovers of these beverages will often sport yellowed teeth.   

Other common offenders include red wine, dark sauces like soy sauce or balsamic vinegar, colas, and chocolate. Even some strongly-colored fruits and vegetables like beets, pomegranates, cherries, and blueberries can stain your teeth. However, this not an excuse to eat your beets —!

These are surface-levels stains that can be treated easily professionally, and even at home.

Smoking

Smoking is seriously bad for you, causing a whole list of health problems including cancer, diabetes, stroke, heart disease, and more. Not surprisingly, the negative effect of smoking on your oral health is no exception. If you smoke, you should kick the habit for good starting now, but seek help if you need it!. 

Both the nicotine and tar in tobacco can cause stains on the outside of your teeth. However, all is not lost if you dream of having whiter teeth. All you have to do is stop smoking and start using a tooth whitening product. Smoking stains can be stubborn, but with patience and a steady oral healthcare regimen, you can eventually enjoy a whiter smile. 

If you’re a regular smoker, consider seeing a dentist frequently. Dentists can spot complications from smoking before they turn into preventable diseases.

Illness

In addition to their own symptoms, some illnesses can cause discolored teeth. What’s more, some medical treatments like chemotherapy for head or neck cancers can also have a negative effect on the color of your teeth. 

Medications

The medications you take for certain conditions such as asthma or high blood pressure can cause yellow teeth. Even antihistamines can be a guilty party. 

At your next dentist appointment ask for help with yellowed teeth and be sure to tell your dentist about any medications, even over-the-counter ones, that you may be taking. This can help them narrow down the root cause of your yellow or brown teeth.

Trauma

Trauma to the tooth, such as being struck while suffering a sports injury, can also cause discoloration.  

Fluoride

Yep, you can have too much of a good thing. Fluoride being one. 

In small amounts, it can help strengthen your teeth and prevent cavities, but get too much and you’ll enjoy a dull, yellow smile instead. 

Genetics

Some people just have yellowish teeth. Dentin, the inner layer of your teeth underneath the enamel, is naturally a yellow color. Some people have thinner tooth enamel or it’s more transparent, causing the yellowish color of the dentin to shine through. They may have perfectly strong, healthy teeth, but have been unlucky enough to inherit yellow-colored teeth in a society that’s obsessed with pearly whites. 

What are the types of tooth discoloration (stains)?

There are two types of teeth stains — extrinsic and intrinsic. 

Extrinsic stains are caused by external factors. For example, smoking or eating dark-colored foods can lead to stained teeth. These stains primarily affect the tooth enamel and while you might have to work hard to remove them, rest assured they can usually be removed.

Intrinsic stains are a bit trickier to deal with. These stains are caused by internal factors and affect the dentin, an inner layer of your tooth that lies below the enamel. 

For instance, taking some medications or overexposure to fluoride (particularly as a child) can cause brown spots on your teeth. Adults aren’t safe either. Keep in mind that prescription-strength mouthwashes prescribed by dentists to treat gingivitis and other tooth problems often contain chlorhexidine–a compounds that can also discolor your teeth. 

Why are my teeth yellow even though I have good dental hygiene?

Because of the nature of yellow teeth, it is possible to maintain the strictest tooth-brushing regimen in the world and still end up with yellow or brown teeth. 

Good oral hygiene can help stave off extrinsic stains by attacking them before they can fully form. However, intrinsic stains are harder to control. All the vigorous flossing and brushing you can muster won’t keep your teeth from discoloring due to a medication. 

How can yellow teeth be prevented?

It is relatively simple to prevent yellow teeth. Maintain proper dental hygiene and avoid the other factors that can cause tooth staining. In other words:

• Don’t smoke or chew tobacco
• Limit red wine, coffee, tea, etc.
• Avoid taking medications that may affect your teeth, if you can
• Don’t overdo it with fluoride
• Don’t get a chronic disease like cancer or diabetes
• Don’t be born with the genetics that predisposes you to get yellow teeth

Unfortunately, you can’t control all of these factors, so do your best with the ones you can. 

Can yellow teeth become white?

Depending on the root cause of your tooth discoloration, you may be able to enjoy pearly whites once more. For example, at-home or professional whitening can scrub away extrinsic stains relatively quickly. 

Even discoloration from medications and the like can be removed when you use the proper technique. This is why consulting with a dentist can be helpful. First, they will work to discover the root cause of your yellow or stained teeth, and then they’ll recommend the best course of treatment. 

If you’re “blessed” with genetically yellowish teeth, tooth whitening may not be as successful as you’d like, but there are still cosmetic dentistry options you can explore if all else fails. Use these teeth whitening remedies.

How do you whiten yellow teeth?

There are many methods for whitening yellow teeth. How effective they will be is dependent on what is causing the yellowing. It is important to be aware that some methods may erode your tooth enamel and should be avoided. Let’s look at a few common methods here.

At-home teeth whitening remedies

There are a few really effective teeth whitening remedies. When your teeth are yellowing due to food stains, brushing with an electric toothbrush can be an effective option. The vibration of the bristles is more effective at loosening plaque and the pellicle, or thick film, on your teeth that is helping to cause the stains. Double that with a whitening toothpaste with activated charcoal and you’ve got a pretty effective recipe for whitening. You might also try adding baking soda to your toothpaste for an extra whitening boost.   

Though it might seem counterintuitive since turmeric turns foods yellow and can stain clothing, oil pulling with a mixture of coconut oil and turmeric may help. This concoction is effective at cutting down on the number of bacteria in your mouth which could be contributing to your tooth discoloration problem.

That is, if you can stand the taste.

There are a few other home remedy suggestions that you’ll find floating out there on the internet, but steer away from acidic methods like strawberries and orange peels. Cosmetically, they may make your teeth look whiter, but the acid is destroying your tooth enamel, which can further exacerbate the problem later on. Don’t be so obsessed with getting white teeth that you cause your teeth to age and yellow prematurely!

Teeth whitening treatment options

There are a few at-home tooth whitening options you can try as well. You can buy whitening strips or gels over-the-counter and apply these to your teeth as directed. These formulas usually contain peroxide and can be effective at removing stains within a few days.  

If you need some extra whitening power, it’s time for a trip to your friendly neighborhood dentist! Professional tooth whitening involves bleaching your teeth at the dentist’s office. Depending on the severity of your stains, you may need to have a few treatments. Your dentist may also use special lights or lasers to enhance the effect. Keep in mind that most dental insurance doesn’t cover teeth whitening.

How to find a dentist

Don’t have a regular dentist? No problem! We are dedicated to helping people find the perfect dentist. With a large network of dentists all across North America, we can help you find a dentist in your area that will meet your oral health needs.

We firmly believe that healthy teeth and proper oral health are necessary for a happy, healthy life and we’re happy to help you reach that goal!

The post Yellow teeth: Causes, home remedies, and treatment options appeared first on The Floss By Opencare.

A toothache can feel bad. Like, really bad. It can happen suddenly and cause major pain. In one study, researchers reported 7.5 million cases of toothache among kids in the previous six months. Another study reported 55.1% of adults have had a toothache that caused them major discomfort. There are a few home remedies for a toothache.

Of course the best way to treat a toothache is to see a dentist. They’re the best equipped to what’s causing your pain and provide you with the most effective treatment plan. Diseases that cause toothaches can turn into something more serious and higher risk if you leave it without a dental examination. 

What’s the best and fastest remedy for a toothache?

Seeing a dentist is the best way to cure a toothache and prevent your toothache from turning into something more serious. It is the only way to be sure you are getting rid of the toothache at its cause and not letting the disease fester and get worse.

The best home remedies for a toothache

There are a few home remedies you can use to temporarily relieve pain while you wait to see a dentist. Some tend to work better than others, but overall, people may have different responses to these toothache remedies. Here are some home remedies for a toothache

1. Clove oil

Clove oil is a solution that contains clove extract. The active ingredient in clove oil is known as eugenol, a natural agent that serves as an anesthetic and can help reduce toothache pain. What this means is that clove oil will essentially numb the area around your tooth. This includes the nerves that are located inside the tooth, as well as the surrounding gum.

When using clove oil for a toothache, be sure to do so with a small piece of cotton. Place a small amount of the oil on the cotton. Then bite onto the cotton, ensuring the area with the clove oil touches the affected tooth. Make sure you bite gently, as the idea is only to keep the clove oil close to the tooth and not apply unnecessary pressure.

One study looked at the anesthetic properties of clove oil. The researchers found that the chemicals in clove oil may interact with the opioid system in the body. This explains the pain relief effects that it yields.

2. Salt water

If your tooth has an infection or abscess, a good home remedy might be to rinse your mouth with some saltwater. The great thing about this remedy is the fact that it’s likely one of the most affordable options.

You should use about half a cup of warm water for this one. The water should not be boiling, however. It should be tolerable. Mix about half a teaspoon of salt with the water. Stir properly, and then use this solution as a mouthwash. Make sure not to swallow the solution. Spit it out after swishing the saltwater in your mouth a few times.

The saltwater will help to reduce the growth of bacteria but does not replace a visit to the dentist if there is an abscess. Infection management methods will be needed to take care of the abscess without the risk of the bacteria spreading to other parts of the mouth and causing broader dental problems. This is one of many effective home remedies for a toothache.

3. Hydrogen peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is another home remedy for toothaches that is effective. This option is great for fighting off bacteria that cause an infection in your teeth and lead to tooth decay. It can also act as a pain reliever.

Use a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution. Mix half hydrogen peroxide and a half glass of warm water, and rinse with it.

4. Tea bag

A tea bag that contains some peppermint extract can help to numb the area around the painful tooth. A peppermint tea bag is also known to be a highly effective option for soothing gums that feel sensitive. The sensitivity may be due to infection or swelling in the gums.

To use a peppermint tea bag, add the bag to a cup of warm water. Remove it and allow the tea bag to cool down just a little bit. When placing it inside your mouth, the bag should still be warm, but not hot enough to burn your mouth. Simply keep the tea bag on the affected tooth for a while for some much needed temporary relief.

5. Cold compress

When it comes to pain management, most people are familiar with cold compresses. This involves the use of an ice pack. The ice pack is wrapped in a towel to prevent damaging your skin. Hold the ice pack against the cheek on the side of your mouth where the painful tooth is located. You can hold the ice pack there for a couple of minutes, but not too long. 

6. Garlic

Garlic is associated with numerous medicinal and antibacterial properties. Its chemicals may also help to reduce pain. A garlic paste can be applied to the gums and teeth in the affected area.

7. Guava leaves

The naturally occurring chemicals of guava leaves make it another effective remedy for toothache. They have anti-inflammatory properties and promote healing. You can chew on a few of these leaves to experience the benefits.

8. Cloves

While we have already mentioned clove oil, some people do find that cloves work just as well. Take a whole clove and place it on the tooth that is painful. Bite onto the clove gently. You do not want to apply too much pressure, as this could cause the pain to become worse. Simply hold the clove between your teeth for a while. As your saliva mixes with the clove, the chemicals will start to seep into your tooth. This is a very effective way of dealing with nerve pain in the tooth as well.

9. Thyme

Thyme is an herb that has both antioxidant and antibacterial agents. Both of these properties can help reduce bacterial growth in the dental cavity. You may find that it is easier to use Thyme oil. Add some of the oil to a cotton ball, then place the cotton on your tooth.

10. Vanilla Extract

Another option is to use some vanilla extract. You can place the extract on a cotton ball and then bite onto the cotton with the affected tooth. Do not overuse this method, however, as vanilla extract contains some alcohol. A small amount may help to reduce the pain symptoms, but using too much can irritate your gums.

Can acupuncture help?

Acupuncture is considered an alternative method for dealing with a toothache. The technique is used for a large variety of purposes. There are studies that show the efficacy of acupuncture in various scenarios, including the use of the techniques in pain management.

How do you sleep with a toothache?

A toothache can definitely interfere with how well you sleep. Try some of these tips:

•      Start off by trying some natural remedies. If these do not work for the pain, use an over-the-counter painkiller.
•      Make sure your head is a bit elevated when you lie down in bed.
•      Make sure you do not eat anything that is exceptionally cold or acidic too late at night. This could irritate your gums and the nerves inside a tooth.
•      Use a mouth rinse after brushing.
•      You can also use a cold ice pack on the side of your mouth before going to bed as well. This may help to reduce the pain too.
• What is the best painkiller for toothache?

The painkiller with the most promising effects, however, is said to be ibuprofen. This is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug that helps to reduce swelling in the tissue surrounding the affected tooth. Ibuprofen can be used even if an infection is present. It would be combined with an antibiotic drug in this scenario. You should consult a dentist to prescribe the most effective treatment for your particular case.

See a dentist to get rid of toothache pain fast

Home remedies may help to temporarily relieve pain. The only way to really understand the root of your pain is to see a dentist. 

Diseases that cause toothaches can turn into something more serious and higher risk if you leave it. Seeing a dentist is the best way to cure a toothache, prevent them, and prevent your toothache from turning into something more dangerous

Toothaches can make life stop all of a sudden, preventing you from continuing with your daily routine. There are many reasons for toothaches to develop, including chips in the tooth, infection, and more. When a toothache occurs, you should find a dentist. A dentist near you can determine what the cause is and provide adequate treatment to stop the pain.

The dentist may advise you to have chips fixed or extracted in case of severe damage. A root canal may be used to remove the root of the tooth, and appropriate treatment can be offered if there is an infection in the tooth. Keep in mind that not home remedies for a toothache are effective.

Listen, nobody likes a toothache, but it’s curable, so don’t worry too much. If our home remedies don’t help, make an appointment and put yourself on the road to treatment.

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