WHY ARE MY TEETH SO YELLOW?
“I am in my late 30’s, I know I am not old, but why don’t I have white teeth? I see people of my age these days have straight and sparkly white teeth.”
The crown of a tooth consists of 3 different layers. The outer layer is enamel, the middle layer is dentin, and the inner structure is the pulp with nerves and blood vessels. The color of dental enamel can be translucent and usually with a white hue. The dentin has a yellowish hue, so the tooth appears yellowish.
The natural teeth colour may vary depending on different factors:
– Tooth trauma: If a tooth has been traumatised, the tooth may become necrotic, and the colour may change to a darker yellow, brown, or even black.
– Tetracycline: An antibiotic that may be given to a child while their teeth are still developing. The tetracycline binds to the calcium ions in the teeth and causes yellow/grey discolouration.
– Dental restorations: Dental restorations such as amalgam may stain dental structure, causing grey discolouration. Ledermix is a medicament used in root canal treatment and can also cause grey/brown discolouration.
– Aging: As we get older, our teeth are more yellow. The enamel wears away due to exposure to acid from food and drink, and general wear and tear. As the enamel gets thinner, the teeth appear more yellow.
– Tobacco: The main cause of dental staining for smokers is nicotine and tar. These chemicals penetrate through enamel causing dental discolouration. This is another reason to convince smokers to quit smoking.
– Dental decay: Decay is caused by bacteria breaking down tooth structure. The damage is permanent and develops into a cavity. The dental decay can be dark yellow, brown or even black.
– Fluorosis: This is caused by overexposure to fluoride in the younger years of life, during the development of the permanent teeth. Fluorosis is not harmful. However, it is a cosmetic concern. The dental fluorosis appears as white or brown speckles on the teeth.
– Others: Many other factors may cause dental discolourations, such as poor oral hygiene, food/drink staining such as coffee, tea or red wine, excessive brushing that may expose dentine.
So, the real question is how to turn yellow teeth into white teeth. Fortunately, there are treatment options for yellow teeth. It can be very simple or more involved. These are some of the options:
– Good oral hygiene: Sometimes, getting rid of stains can be as simple as brushing and flossing your teeth or visiting the dentist for dental cleaning. The calculus/tartar built on the teeth is calcified dental plaque composed primarily of calcium phosphate, mineral salts, and bacteria. The dental professional can remove the calculus, plaque build-up and tooth stains for you.
Teeth Whitening or Dental Bleaching
We will discuss this in more detail since it will be the most common solution to our original question, “How do i get whiter teeth?”
Teeth whitening is a relatively simple, effective, low-risk procedure commonly used to improve the appearance of stained or discoloured teeth. Teeth whitening can be performed internally or externally. Internal bleaching is commonly used in root canal treated teeth. External bleaching can be done in the clinic or at home. Whitening products typically use the chemicals hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. The chemical is usually available in a gel form, which can be applied to the surface of the teeth.
Teeth whitening is very effective on enamel in most patients. However, it will not work on restorative surfaces such as crowns, veneers and fillings. Also, teeth whitening is not indicated for everyone. It is not recommended for people with excessively sensitive teeth, discolouration caused by medications or fluoride, tooth cracks or enamel defects, as well as individuals of a young age, and pregnant/breastfeeding women.
How much does teeth whitening cost, and what are the teeth whitening methods?
The cost of teeth whitening will depend on which method you choose:
– Whitening toothpaste
The whitening toothpaste contains abrasives, mild bleaching chemicals or both. In my experience, whitening toothpaste does not change the colour of the teeth; it may only remove some external stains, such as tea, coffee or red wine. There are multiple brands that sell whitening toothpaste in supermarkets or pharmacies, and the price is usually more expensive than the regular toothpaste.
– Whitening strips
Sticky strips that can be worn against your teeth. The cost of whitening strips is more affordable. Still, it’s not as effective as the teeth whitening home kit or in-chair teeth whitening. However, since the treatment is done without professional consultation/monitoring, it may cause adverse effects such as gum irritations, mouth ulcers or excessive teeth sensitivity.
– Teeth whitening home kit
The cost of bleaching trays can be as little as $200.The moulds of your teeth are taken by a dental professional, who can then construct custom plastic trays that fit you. The dentist then gives you instructions on how to apply the bleaching gel. The application usually ranges from 15 minutes to overnight, depending on the concentration of the bleaching chemicals.
– In-chair teeth whitening
This is also known as light-activated bleaching. This technique protects the gum and lips with a rubber shield, and bleaching gel is applied to the tooth surfaces. A high-intensity blue light is shone into the mouth to speed up the whitening process. We commonly perform 3 or 4 applications in one appointment. The procedure should take approximately 2 hours and cost approximately $650 if an in-chair Zoom Philips Whitening is used. Realistically, we have found that most patients improve by 2-3 shades lighter. Once the treatment is completed, we will provide patients with a tooth whitening home kit for top-up in 6 to 12 months if required.
Interestingly, most health funds will cover part or all of the in-chair whitening!
There are also other methods to change the colour of the teeth such as:
– Dental veneers
There are 2 main types of material used for veneers: porcelain and dental composite. Porcelain veneers are indirectly fabricated by a dental technician and typically bonded to the surface of the teeth by a resin cement. Porcelain veneers are more aesthetic and last longer. Alternatively, composite resin can be used as a direct veneer. Composite veneers are composite resin material applied directly to the surface of the teeth. This technique is generally more conservative and likely to cost less.
– Dental Crown
A dental crown covers the tooth to strengthen it or for cosmetic reasons. Dental crowns can minimise tooth fracture, improve contacts between the teeth, increase vertical dimension and more.
In conclusion, whatever the discolouration problem may be, there is a solution that will suit you. It can be simpler than you think, such as dental cleaning, teeth whitening or simple fillings.
Please consult with a dentist at A.L. Dental, who will discuss the most suitable treatment for your needs and the budget you’re comfortable with.