What Makes Your Teeth Yellow?

First of all, you need to understand what exactly makes your teeth yellow, and there are multiple factors. Some foods can stain your enamel and make teeth yellower. Tea, coffee, wine, candies and chocolate, berries - all the things you love can make your teeth look bad. That also may be plaque build-up on your teeth.

What Can Help?

First things first, brush your teeth regularly. If you haven’t brushed them regularly - start now. If you have but still have your teeth yellow - try brushing them more often - twice a day or after every meal. But be careful: don’t brush immediately after taking acidic foods or drinks because it might lead to erosion. If you need some extra whiteness, try using tooth-whitening toothpaste. These kinds of toothpaste use mild abrasives, which can help to remove tough stains from teeth surfaces.

But let’s discuss some less obvious natural ways to whiten your teeth. Here we’ve got a list of 6 of them.

1. Oil Pulling

Oil pulling is a traditional Indian remedy for teeth whitening used to improve oral hygiene and remove toxins from the body. Traditionally, sunflower or sesame oil is used but any oil will work. The method itself consists of swishing oil around in the mouth for up to 20 minutes to get rid of bacteria. You take 1 tablespoon of oil and push and pull it through your teeth.

Coconut oil is the most pleasant one to use as it has a nice taste and many benefits for health. A recent study found that using coconut oil could prevent tooth decay. Unfortunately, there are no scientific studies to prove that oil pulling whitens your teeth. However, it’s a safe practice and worth a try. Many people claim their teeth are whiter and brighter after regular oil pulling. Unlike many other tooth whitening methods, oil pulling does not expose your teeth to acid or other ingredients that erode the enamel. This means it is safe to do daily.

2. Baking Soda

Baking soda is a mild abrasive that scrubs away stains. It has natural whitening properties, which is why it’s a popular ingredient in commercial toothpaste. It also helps create an alkaline environment in the mouth, which prevents bacteria from growing.

Soda becomes more effective in combination with hydrogen peroxide. The recipe is easy: take 1 tablespoon of baking soda and two tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide. Mix both the contents, and you’ll end up with a paste. Use this paste daily, and you’ll eventually start to see the difference. You can also use this paste with the addition of water to make a mouthwash.

Science has yet not proven that baking soda can whiten your teeth, but studies have shown that toothpaste that has baking soda has a significant whitening effect. Still, both products are mostly harmless.

3. An Apple A Day…

We’ve already told you about foods that make your teeth yellow, but what about foods that have an opposite effect?

Fruits are known to rub off plaque from your teeth while you chew them. Moreover, fruits and vegetables are good for your overall health, that’s a win-win for you.

The most popular fruits to whiten teeth are apple, pineapple and strawberry. Malic acid in apples and strawberries boosts saliva to wash away acids.It is also known to remove discoloration on your teeth and make them appear whiter. At the same time, an enzyme called “bromelain” found in pineapple effectively removes stains and is useful in overall tooth whitening.

4. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar has for centuries been used as a natural cleaning product. It has acetic acid, which effectively kills bacteria, as the main active ingredient. That is what makes it useful for cleaning your mouth and whitening your teeth.

Mix some vinegar with water and use it as a mouthwash. But be careful: it can erode your enamel, which means you can’t use it every day. Also limit the time vinegar contact with your teeth. After the procedure be sure to rinse your mouth with plain water.

5. Activated Charcoal

Activated charcoal is one of the easiest and cheapest products to naturally whiten your teeth. As an antioxidant this stuff removes all the toxins and surface stains left by tea, coffee and food consumption. Brushing your teeth with activated charcoal you can lighten them by up to 3 shades.

Crush up one charcoal tablet into a powder, dip your toothbrush into it and brush your teeth as usual. Rinse it with plain water afterwards.

6. Powdered Milk

Dairy products are known for improving the health of teeth due to them containing both calcium and phosphorus. This combination remineralizes tooth enamel. So, you can either add more dairy products into your diet or just use powdered milk mixed with your toothpaste for better effect. Use it 1-2 times a week to get your teeth pearly white and strong.

We’ve presented you some ways to whiten your teeth at home but let’s be honest: no gimmicks will help better than regular brushing and flossing. None of these methods has a scientific approval and can in this or that way harm your teeth. Brush, floss and mouthwash your teeth at least twice a day, go to the dentist, turn to special procedures if needed to keep your teeth white and healthy. It’s the best you can give them.