How to Get Rid of Yellow Teeth at Home | Hampstead Orthodontic Practice (2024)

Yellow teeth, albeit unsightly, are a natural process in the ageing of teeth. Yellow stains on teeth may occur due to several factors, from stains on the surface of the tooth to the wearing down of the white tooth enamel over time.

Are teeth naturally yellow? Damage to enamel will reveal the true yellow colour of teeth underneath.

But fear not, there are a number of safe and affordable ways to whiten your teeth at home.

Why Are My Teeth Yellow in the First Place?

Intrinsic vs Extrinsic Tooth Discolouration


As we age, the white enamel of our teeth becomes worn down. As a result, the calcified tissue (dentin), which has a yellow (sometimes grey) hue, shows through the damaged tooth enamel. This is known as intrinsic tooth discolouration.

Lifestyle factors that introduce compounds known to stain the surface of teeth (enamel), as well as plaque build-up, will also influence the appearance of teeth and their colour. The staining of enamel (the surface of white teeth stained yellow) is known as extrinsic tooth discolouration.

How to Avoid Yellow Stains on Teeth


Now that we understand how teeth turning yellow can occur, we can tackle the problem.

Prevention is always more effective than a cure. Good overall oral hygiene is the first preventative measure you can take to counter teeth yellowing:

  • Brush teeth twice daily
  • Brush your tongue
  • Eat a balanced diet
  • Drink plenty of water
  • Routinely visit your healthcare professional
  • Use an antiseptic mouthwash
  • Floss regularly

Most Common Causes of Yellow Teeth (Extrinsic Tooth Discolouration)


Tannins – The most notorious culprit when it comes to substances that stain the exterior enamel of teeth are Tannins. Tannins are an organic group of compounds that give many foods and drinks their dark colour and bitter taste like wine, coffee and tea.

Acids – Excessive acid can be why your teeth are turning yellow. Tooth enamel starts to erode at a pH of 5.5, this erosion means the outer white enamel breaks down, making teeth appear yellow.

Chromogens – Strong pigments that allow for yellow stains to linger on the teeth.

Misaligned Teeth – Yellow stains may be more prominent on misaligned teeth because the surface enamel is difficult to reach using toothbrushes and floss. The fact of the matter is that when teeth are straight, they are easier to protect from yellow stains. Book a free consultation today to find out how Hampstead Orthodontic Practice can help you achieve a beautiful, bright white smile.

Smoking – All tobacco products cause yellow stains on teeth, whether it be smoking cigarettes, cigars or even chewing tobacco.

Fluoride – The excessive use of products containing fluoride has also been linked to teeth turning yellow due to premature wearing down of the enamel.

14 Natural Teeth Whitening Methods


All the below-mentioned teeth whitening methods are raw materials you may already have in your home or are readily available at any supermarket. While they can be used independently, their teeth-whitening properties are heightened when combined.

1) Salt


Salt is a natural antiseptic and abrasive. These qualities make it a great candidate for whitening yellow teeth by cleaning the surface. Avoid using salt for teeth whitening if the enamel of your teeth is damaged as the salt will erode the enamel further. It is best used mixed with the other natural teeth-whitening ingredients listed below, like cloves and mustard oil.

2) Cloves


Cloves contain high levels of eugenol which is a strong antiseptic. It has been used for centuries as a toothache remedy. While cloves can help to whiten yellow teeth, they can also prevent cavities and gum disease. Clove can be used diluted in coconut oil, either as a powder or essential oil.

3) Garlic


Garlic gets a bad rep when it comes to oral care because of its pungent halitosis-causing agents. However, its high levels of allicin help patients get whiter teeth when eaten raw, thanks to allicin’s strong bacteria-reducing properties.

4) Turmeric and Cardamom


Turmeric is an antimicrobial herb and whole cardamom pods have been used for centuries as a natural breath freshener and natural teeth-whitening remedy. This duo is a potent oral health boost as well as an ideal way to whiten teeth naturally. Mix powdered turmeric and cardamom with some coconut oil and brush your teeth with this paste.

5) Holy Basil and Sage


Both basil and sage have natural bleaching properties that are effective at removing yellow stains from teeth. You can mix the dried herbs in your regular toothpaste or make a paste with coconut oil/mustard oil and let it sit on your teeth for a few minutes.

6) Citrus Peels


Orange, tangerine, grapefruit and lemon peels are adept at removing stains on teeth due to their citric acid content. Rubbing the peels on your teeth is all it takes. Mixing some sweet orange essential oil into your toothpaste or diluted with coconut oil will also work.

Do not do it too often as excessive exposure to citric acid may wear down your tooth enamel.

7) Strawberry


The malic acid present in strawberries can whiten teeth. This method of whitening yellow teeth is most effective when creating a paste made from strawberries and baking soda.

8) Apple


What can’t an apple do? It keeps the doctor away and can even help maintain white teeth. All you have to do is eat an apple a day! Chew it finely to release the malic acid’s teeth-whitening abilities. The simple act of chewing a crunchy apple can act as a mild abrasive that cleans yellow stains from teeth.

9) Mustard Oil


The inherent cleansing properties of mustard oil make it an accessible way to naturally whiten teeth. It is best used with bicarbonate of soda or salt. It can also be used in combination with the oil-pulling step further below to stave off infection.

10) Sodium Bicarbonate/Baking Soda


Bicarb is a mild abrasive that can protect teeth from turning yellow. So much so that it is an active ingredient in many commercial kinds of toothpaste. It is most effective at whitening yellow when used in combination with strawberry, mustard oil, whitening spices and herbs.

11) Oil Pulling


Oil pulling to whiten teeth can be done with olive, coconut or sesame oil. Simply swish the oil of your choosing in your mouth for up to 20 minutes each day for the best results.

For an added boost of natural teeth-whitening power, add some mustard oil and/or sweet orange oil to the mix.

12) Activated Charcoal


Activated charcoal is rich in minerals that cling to the stains on the surface of teeth. Do not crush aggressively as this may prove to be too abrasive and wear down tooth enamel.

Lightly apply the charcoal to your teeth in a paste (mixed with water or your choice of oil) and let sit for 3 minutes. Rinse and brush as you would normally and the minerals from the charcoal that have become bound to the yellow stains on the teeth will wash away too.

13) Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)


The acetic acid present in ACV has a bleaching effect. When using ACV as a means of whitening teeth naturally, be sure to not use it too frequently. While acetic acid can help whiten yellow teeth, when used excessively it may erode the tooth enamel.

14) Hydrogen Peroxide


Want to know how to get rid of yellow teeth overnight? This is arguably the fastest and most effective way of whitening teeth naturally. It is an active ingredient in many commercial teeth-whitening products. 1 part of 3% hydrogen peroxide mixed with 2 parts water makes an easy and affordable tooth-whitening mouthwash.

Alternatively, create a paste using 3% hydrogen peroxide and baking soda and brush with this to remove yellow stains on teeth.

Conclusion

There are multiple ways to whiten teeth at home. If you are not seeing the results you had hoped for, it may be because you require orthodontic intervention to properly access the surfaces of your teeth for proper cleaning.

How to Get Rid of Yellow Teeth at Home | Hampstead Orthodontic Practice (2024)

FAQs

How can I fix my yellow teeth at-home? ›

A mixture of equal parts lemon juice and water will help restore whiteness to your teeth and completely disinfect your oral cavity. To test this out mix one teaspoon of water with one teaspoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice. Brush your teeth thoroughly with the combined liquids, and then rinse it out.

Can yellow teeth be white again? ›

Fortunately, there are ways of making your yellow teeth white, from improving your oral hygiene and diet to visiting the dentist and having them professionally whitened. There's no need to feel ashamed of your smile anymore.

How to whiten teeth in 2 minutes? ›

Hydrogen peroxide is a mild bleach that can help to whiten stained teeth . For optimal whitening, a person can try brushing with a mix of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide for 1–2 minutes twice a day for a week.

Do orthodontists whiten teeth after braces? ›

There are several methods to whiten your teeth after braces. The Orthodontists don't provide any teeth whitening services so we recommend seeing your dentist for a scale and clean, and to discuss risks and costs of your options before proceeding with any whitening treatments.

What cancels out yellow teeth? ›

"Purple toothpaste contains color-correcting pigments that are meant to counteract yellow or off-white discoloration," said Chen. "The purple coloration is designed to neutralize yellow stains, enhancing the natural whiteness of the teeth."

How to remove yellow layer from teeth? ›

Remedies for yellow teeth
  1. Brushing your teeth. Your first plan of action should be to brush your teeth more often and in the correct manner. ...
  2. Baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. ...
  3. Coconut oil pulling. ...
  4. Apple cider vinegar. ...
  5. Lemon, orange, or banana peels. ...
  6. Activated charcoal. ...
  7. Eating fruits and vegetables with a higher water content.

How to whiten teeth overnight? ›

Brush a thin, even layer of whitening serum to clean, dry teeth and allow a few seconds for it to dry. Go to sleep (4-6 hours is recommended for best whitening results) and brush your teeth when you wake up to remove the whitening serum. Then, admire your smile!

Can teeth yellowing be undone? ›

Certain lifestyle factors can accelerate the yellowing of teeth. For example, drinking red wine and coffee, smoking, or consuming a diet high in sugar. Your dentist will work with you to improve or resolve discoloration with professional teeth whitening kits or in-office whitening treatments.

How fast does baking soda whiten teeth? ›

As the baking soda only removes stains from the surface level of the teeth and not the enamel it can be passable at removing light stains such as coffee and food, but you might not notice a big difference for four to six weeks.

Does vaseline whiten teeth? ›

APPLY VASELINE TO YOUR TEETH. A slick across your gnashers can not only act as a protective layer against staining from what passes your lips, but also it can keep lippy in place and prevent it from transferring onto your teeth. Either way – you've got a whiter smile.

How can I whiten my teeth at home ASAP? ›

For your benefit, we've provided you with seven different ways to naturally whiten your teeth.
  1. Eat Strawberries. ...
  2. Eat Plenty of Fruits and Vegetables. ...
  3. Brush After You Eat or Drink. ...
  4. Rinse with Apple Cider Vinegar. ...
  5. Apply Coconut Oil. ...
  6. Brush Your Tongue. ...
  7. Use Baking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide.

What whitens teeth really fast? ›

Zoom-in-office whitening is the best teeth whitening system out there. It is fast (takes about an hour) and you get great results. This is the one you have probably seen before where the patients are under that blue light and it turns your teeth up to four shades of whiter.

What braces color cancels out yellow teeth? ›

This is because blue is the contrasting color of yellow and the two will cancel each other out. Some shades of purple can also do this. Then, by choosing darker versions of these colors, it makes the white in your teeth look brighter by comparison.

Can yellow stains from braces be removed? ›

Professional dental cleaning can help remove stubborn stains that are hard to remove at home. Your orthodontist may use an ultrasonic scaler, sandblaster or laser equipment to remove the plaque and tartar buildup.

How can I whiten my teeth with braces? ›

If mild discoloration occurs, using a whitening toothpaste or mouth rinse can lift surface stains. Depending on the type of braces you're wearing, you might also be a candidate for whitening strips, whitening gels, or in-office dental treatments.

How do you make yellow braces clear again? ›

How to remove stains off your orthodontic braces. The best way to remove stains is with mouthwash. Get alcohol free mouthwash and gargle with it 3 times a day, making sure to keep it in your mouth for at least 2 minutes at a time. This should be able to break up most stains, but not all of them.

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