How to Remove Yellow Stains From Your Teeth

Have you noticed your pearly whites losing their gleam because of yellow stains? Teeth discoloration and yellowish stains commonly occur as you age, but there are various foods, medications, and even mouthwashes that can result in teeth stains.

Since teeth whitening is a cosmetic procedure, many American dental plans do not cover it. However, there are still some dental insurance plans for individuals that provide coverage for the teeth whitening procedure. Therefore, it is imperative that you check the policy of your dental plan.

Whether the dental plan covers teeth whitening or not, there are still certain home remedies that you can try to get rid of the yellow stains from your teeth.

Causes of Yellow Stains

There are numerous reasons why your teeth experience discoloration or yellow stains. Following are some of the common causes:

• Saliva deficiency or chronic dry mouth
• Poor oral hygiene or dental care
• Excessive usage of fluoride
• Mouth trauma
• Genetics
• Aging
• Side effects of mouthwashes or certain medication
• Chewing tobacco or smoking
• A diet loaded with simple carbohydrates and sugar
• Consuming specific colored drinks or foods, such as tea, coffee, red wine, or blueberries

There can be more than one cause of yellow stains on your teeth, which gradually make the stains noticeable over the years.

Different Ways to Remove Yellow Stains

Here are some ways you can remove yellow stains from your teeth:

Regularly Brushing and Flossing

While tooth discoloration naturally occurs with age, most of the time the culprit is the gradual buildup of plaque on the teeth. This might seem obvious, but the importance of regular brushing and flossing can’t be stressed enough.

Brushing at least twice a day and flossing at least once a day is important to eliminate the bacteria from your mouth and reduce the amount of plaque buildup.

Toothpaste helps in gently rubbing out these stains, while flossing helps in removing the bacteria. Moreover, whether you have a full coverage dental plan or a basic one, they all cover basic dental cleaning. Make sure you take advantage of this opportunity to maintain your oral health.

Brushing with Baking Soda

It is a known fact that baking soda offers natural whitening properties, and that is the reason why it is one of the most popular ingredients in several kinds of toothpaste. Baking soda is a mild abrasive that scrubs away the stains from the surface of the teeth.

According to research, baking soda is also found to create an alkaline environment inside your mouth that stops the growth of bacteria. Keep in mind, applying baking soda is not going to whiten your teeth with just one use. It will have a gradual effect on your teeth.

Studies have found that toothpastes which include baking soda are more effective in eliminating yellow stains from the teeth as compared to toothpastes with no baking soda.

All you have to do is to combine:

• Water – 2 teaspoons
• Baking soda – 1 teaspoon

Once a paste is formed, you can use your brush to apply it on your teeth. Brush as you normally do. Do this twice or thrice a week to notice a difference.

Using Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide also helps to kill the bacteria residing in your mouth due to its natural bleaching properties. It has been used for years to kill bacteria and disinfect wounds. There are various whitening products, including whitening toothpastes, which include hydrogen peroxide available in the market today.

A study has found that the toothpastes that contain baking soda and hydrogen peroxide can significantly whiten the teeth. Another study concluded that using toothpaste with peroxide and baking soda results in 62% whiter teeth.

It is also essential to use a little amount of peroxide and heavily dilute it in order to make it safe for use.

You can either use it as a mouthwash, but ensure you only use 1.5% solution and mix it with water to avoid potential side effects.

You can also mix hydrogen peroxide with baking soda by combining:

• Hydrogen peroxide – 2 teaspoon
• Baking soda – 1 teaspoon

Make a paste and use your toothbrush to brush your teeth gently. Only use this mixture once a week.

Applying Activated Charcoal

Another effective means of removing yellow stains is by using activated charcoal. It is not only extremely absorbent, but can eliminate toxins and bacteria from the mouth.

All you need to do is take an activated charcoal capsule and place the content on your toothpaste. Brush the teeth gently in circular motions for a maximum of two minutes. Avoid your gums as this powder is abrasive.

If you have sensitive teeth or prefer to restrict the abrasiveness, simply dap the powder in your teeth for two minutes and then wash it off.

The absorbent nature of activated charcoal helps to remove stains, but make sure to use it sparingly to avoid potential side effects.

Preventing Tooth Stains

Preventive measures are the best remedy for yellow stains and discoloration. Here are a few preventive measures you can take:

• Restrict the intake of beverages and foods that can stain your teeth. These items include dark berries, soda, red wine and coffee. You don’t have to completely remove them from your diet, simply limit their consumption. When you do consume these items, make sure to thoroughly brush your teeth afterwards.
• Restrict or eliminate tobacco chewing and smoking as these are major causes of yellow stains.
• Restrict the consumption of sugar from your diet. A high intake of sugar results in the Streptococcus mutans bacteria, which plays a major role in the formation of gingivitis and plaque.
• Include more calcium in your diet. Tooth discoloration also occurs because of the enamel eroding away. This exposes the dentin that is yellowish in color. In order to make the enamel stronger, you must include foods in your diet that are rich in calcium, including broccoli, cheese and milk.

Aside from these remedies, there are dental procedures that can help to eliminate yellow stains from your teeth and leave them pearly white as before. Many dentists offer whitening treatments that you can book through your dental plan.