Why do teeth turn yellow?
The causes of yellow teeth are diverse. Teeth are not naturally white. Genetics explains why some people have teeth that appear whiter than others. This effect can be reinforced depending on the color of the gums. The thickness of tooth enamel also plays a role. The thinner the enamel, the more quickly the inner part of the tooth, which is yellow, becomes visible. Tooth whitening therefore only affects the visible part of the tooth, which alone can be changed. Tooth stains can come from tobacco and certain foods, among other things. A first tip for whitening teeth is to limit your consumption of tea, coffee, wine, sweets, or other colored foods, or to brush your teeth immediately afterward. Some illnesses and treatments can also lead to yellowing of teeth. In children, amoxicillin, for example, can stain teeth. Iron deficiency medications such as Tot’hema can turn teeth brown. Similarly, tetracycline-based antibiotics used to treat acne or psoriasis turn teeth gray. They are now strongly discouraged for pregnant women and new mothers, as they risk damaging the natural teeth of the child during breastfeeding.
How to keep your teeth white every day?
Have good oral hygiene
To maintain good daily oral hygiene , it is essential to brush your teeth after every meal using a toothpaste that is appropriate for your level of dental sensitivity. To be effective, tooth brushing should be done using rotating movements on the teeth, from pink to white, and tilting the brush diagonally to protect the gums. Regular dental check-ups should be carried out from childhood. This allows you to monitor dental growth, detect possible cavities or periodontitis, and have your teeth scaled.
Use a whitening toothpaste
Toothpastes for whitening teeth are very common. Textures vary: paste, powder or lozenges (without water or brush). These whitening toothpastes can have an immediate effect by playing on pigmentation on the contrast between the color of the teeth and that of the gum. Others have a gradual effect over a few weeks via abrasive agents that polish and clean the teeth to remove stains and naturally recolor them. Finally, some, like the Opalescence Original Cool Mint whitening toothpaste , have a low abrasive power that allows daily use to whiten teeth day after day. There are also toothpastes formulated especially for smokers’ teeth, like the Clinomyn anti-stain toothpaste for smokers .
Opt for a whitening toothbrush
Among the toothbrushes on the market, some work in favor of teeth whitening. A soft toothbrush is initially the most appropriate: the agents present in whitening toothpastes tend to attack the inside of the teeth and the gums. The bristles of the brush and the movements during brushing must therefore remain gentle. Electric toothbrushes are recommended for their rapid removal of dental plaque. Conventional toothbrushes, whose bristles are impregnated with vegetable charcoal, also remove stains caused by food. You can combine this type of toothbrush with interdental brushes or interdental floss, which prevent tartar from settling permanently and staining the teeth.