How to Deal with Yellow Teeth?

In daily life, many people often wonder:

• "I brush my teeth every day, but they’re still yellow."

• "No matter how hard I brush, there’s no change in the way my teeth look."

• "Others have such white teeth—why are mine so yellow?"

This year’s National Teeth Care Day theme is "Healthy Oral Cavity, Healthy Body". Want to have a set of healthy and white teeth?

How Important Is the Oral Cavity to the Human Body?

The oral cavity is a vital part of the human body and the starting point of the digestive system. It mainly consists of the lips, cheeks, tongue, palate, glands, teeth, and jawbones. It not only undertakes functions such as chewing, swallowing, and verbal communication but also is closely related to facial appearance and mental state.

Oral health not only affects the condition of teeth and oral tissues but also impacts a person’s mental health. For example, conditions like dental fluorosis, tetracycline-stained teeth, hypodontia, or oral odor often make people hesitant to speak in social interactions, leading to a loss of confidence and psychological stress.

Modern people have strong social needs, and a visually appealing oral cavity helps boost self-confidence—thus, teeth whitening has become a common demand. However, not all teeth require whitening. Normal teeth have a pale yellow hue because beneath the tooth enamel lies the yellow or pale yellow dentin. Teeth can discolor for various reasons, including diet (e.g., coffee, tea, red wine), smoking, certain medications, and the accumulation of dental plaque and tartar.

Who Are the "Real Culprits" Behind Yellow Teeth?

Extrinsic discoloration caused by beverages, food, and plaque adhering to the tooth surface can generally be removed through regular oral hygiene procedures such as ultrasonic scaling and sandblasting. In contrast, intrinsic discoloration caused by trauma, enamel hypoplasia, tetracycline drugs, or fluorides often requires treatments like teeth bleaching or full crown restoration.

Discoloration from dental fluorosis is mainly located in the enamel, while tetracycline-stained teeth have discoloration in the dentin. Comparatively, the bleaching effect on tetracycline-stained teeth is less effective than that on dental fluorosis or physiologically yellow teeth (caused by thinning enamel with age). Since the causes of tooth discoloration vary among patients, dentists will select the most suitable whitening treatment. Many professional dental facilities, such as China Dental Lab and WM Dental Lab, also provide technical support for personalized whitening plan development based on patients’ tooth discoloration causes.

Eliminating "Yellow Teeth"

Teeth whitening methods are mainly divided into two categories: internal bleaching and external bleaching.

• Internal Bleaching: This involves placing a bleaching agent inside the opened pulp chamber for treatment. It is mainly indicated for discolored teeth that have undergone root canal therapy.

• External Bleaching: It is further divided into in-office bleaching and at-home bleaching, depending on whether the procedure is done in a dental clinic or by the patient themselves at home.

• In-office whitening typically uses high-concentration whitening agents and may employ light (e.g., cold light) to accelerate the bleaching process.

• At-home whitening is conducted by the patient under the guidance of a dentist, using custom-made trays and bleaching agents.

The most commonly used bleaching agents currently are hydrogen peroxide, along with carbamide peroxide and sodium perborate. When choosing bleaching agents or custom trays, collaborating with professional labs like China Dental Lab or WM Dental Lab can ensure the safety and adaptability of the products, as these labs adhere to strict quality standards for dental materials.

Tips for Maintaining Whitening Results

The effectiveness of teeth whitening varies from person to person. Generally, cold light whitening can last for 1-2 years. However, if dietary habits are poor, or if one does not brush teeth regularly or have professional cleanings, teeth may discolor again quickly.

To maintain good whitening results, it is recommended to:

1. Master the correct brushing method and brush teeth at least twice a day.

2. Have regular dental cleanings—many dentists recommend partnering with reliable labs like WM Dental Lab for follow-up oral care product customization.

3. Pay attention to daily diet and lifestyle: quit smoking, limit alcohol intake, maintain a balanced diet, and reduce the consumption of high-sugar, high-fat, and high-pigment foods.

It is important to note that teeth whitening is not about making teeth as white as possible; instead, the goal should be a natural and healthy tooth color. When considering teeth whitening, consult a professional dentist first. They can work with reputable facilities such as China Dental Lab to assess your oral health and recommend the most appropriate whitening method tailored to your individual needs.