Yellow teeth: How to restore your dazzling, white smile.

Teeth are hard organs made of calcium hydroxyapatite. The structure of the tooth is divided into two distinct parts: the emerged part of the tooth called the crown and the submerged part in the gum that is attached to the bone and called the root.

Our teeth are naturally made up of 8 incisors, 4 canines, 8 premolars and 12 molars. The tooth enamel is the outer part of the tooth that gives it this naturally pearly white colour. This substance is composed mainly of mineral matter, more specifically calcium hydroxyapatite crystals.

In some people, over time, the natural colour of the teeth may lose its lustre and gradually become yellow.

Yellow teeth: causes

When teeth turn yellow, it is mainly due to external food dyes that gets into the tooth enamel.

In fact, the enamel that covers the teeth is composed of minerals, mainly limestone which is a powdery substance. Thus, over time, food dyes gets into the micro cracks in the enamel and causes them to turn yellow.

In this way tea, coffee, wine and soft drinks, as well as smoking, actively lead to the yellowing of the teeth. Some foods such as citrus fruits can alter the enamel layer and thin it out. Without strong protection, the dyes are easier to get into the tooth.

Tartar is also a factor in the yellowing of the teeth. After every meal, the saliva mixes with the bacteria in the mouth and forms thin layers of plaque around the base of the tooth. This plaque becomes limestone and over time turns yellowish or grey.

Furthermore, excess fluoride during tooth development in children can also cause the appearance of spots that will yellow over time.

Yellow teeth: treatments

In order to get a dazzling smile with the right treatment, it is advisable to consult a dentist.

In order to treat yellow teeth, the patient must first undergo a descaling process that will remove the accumulated layer of tartar. Using a drill, the dentist removes any calcified plaque around the teeth. The first section of the yellowing deposits are removed. To complete the treatment, the dentist polishes the teeth to remove the yellow spots on the enamel of the tooth. The results are immediate, and the teeth are instantly whiter.

In addition to cleaning the teeth by descaling and polishing them, it is possible to accentuate teeth whitening using a whitening product that preserves the tooth enamel while removing stains due to food dyes (coffee, wine, spices, etc.) or nicotine.