Why causes teeth to darken or turn yellow?
Your teeth can darken or grow yellow for a number of reasons, including:
- Cigarette smoking
- Chewing tobacco
- Drinking coffee, tea, red wine, and some sodas
- Eating foods like popsicles, soy sauce, and curry
- Poor dental hygiene
- Enamel wearing away as you age
Although not as common, your teeth can grow darker (usually a grayish color) because of something happening within the tooth.
This kind of tooth discoloration, called intrinsic stains, often develops in childhood or even before birth. Common causes of intrinsic tooth discoloration include tetracycline use in pregnancy and tooth trauma.
What is the teeth whitening process?
At Mission Dental, Dr. Trinh can help you choose the right whitening option. In-office whitening typically includes a topical whitening product and may include a special light to activate the bleaching components of the gel.
In-office teeth whitening typically takes around 45-60 minutes. You see immediate results, usually a change of at least several shades.
Home whitening starts with custom splints, which are trays that click over your teeth. Dr. Trinh creates the splints using your tooth impressions, which means they spread the whitening gel evenly around your teeth.
You fill the splints with whitening gel every day and wear them for anywhere from a few minutes to several hours depending on your needs and Dr. Trinh's recommendations. Results appear over a few weeks.
How can I keep my teeth white in the future?
After your professional teeth whitening, keeping your teeth white may be easier than you’d think. Consider making a few small adjustments to avoid teeth damage.
- Limit coffee, tea, and other staining beverages
- Drink dark beverages with a straw
- Add a splash of milk to lighten dark beverages
- Brush your teeth after consuming stain-causing substances
- Chew sugarless gum and eat high-fiber foods to reduce mouth acids
You should also schedule teeth cleanings and checkups every six months, or as recommended by Dr. Trinh. With good oral health habits in place, you can keep your teeth white with touch-ups about once a year or so.
Get the brilliant white teeth you deserve by calling Mission Dental or booking an appointment online.
