Yellow Teeth

Frequent coffee, tea, or red wine can stain teeth. Smoking can also darken them, and tooth colour may become deeper with age.

Skip household whitening experiments tonight. Fruit acids, vinegar, charcoal, coconut-oil pulling, and similar DIY methods have uncertain benefit; charcoal and salt can be abrasive, while oil pulling has been linked with adverse events.

A safe whitening plan starts with checking that the teeth and gums are healthy. DIY approaches such as fruit, vinegar, charcoal, or oil pulling have limited evidence, and charcoal products have not shown a dependable benefit with adequate safety and effectiveness.

A home kit uses whitening gel in close-fitting trays for around 2 to 6 weeks. Surgery-based laser whitening applies gel and light, usually in one appointment lasting around 1 to 2 hours; it is quicker and more effective than gel alone.

Brush at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, spit after brushing without rinsing, and clean between the teeth every day with floss or interdental brushes. Plaque formed by bacteria damages tooth surfaces over time.

Whitening can temporarily cause sensitivity to cold or sweet food and drinks. Sore gums or throat and white patches on the gums can also occur after professional whitening.

A colour change accompanied by toothache, sharp pain with hot, cold, or sweet foods, or white, brown, or black spots can occur with tooth decay. Infection can produce a painful build-up of pus, called a dental abscess.