Help! My Teeth Are Yellow

Whether you realize it or not, the expression on your face is your message to the world. If, however, you’re hiding your smile because your teeth are yellow or discolored, you’re not just concealing the way you look, you’re holding yourself back in social situations.

You’re also not alone — whiter teeth are the number one feature people want to improve about their smile, and nearly 90% of orthodontic patients request teeth whitening.

At Duval Orthodontics, located in Warner Robins and Albany, Georgia, Dr. J.A. Duval and his team want to increase your confidence and give you the smile you’ve always dreamed of. If your teeth are yellow, professional teeth whitening may be just what you need.

Are your teeth yellow?

There are many reasons why your teeth get discolored. One factor is simply age — as you become older, the enamel coating on your teeth begins to wear, allowing the yellow or grey dentin behind it to show through. 

Other common causes of teeth discoloration include:

• Tobacco use (chewing or smoking)
• Foods and beverages, like coffee, marinara sauce, or red wine
• Pregnancy-related complications
• Certain medications
• Poor oral hygiene
• Chemotherapy or radiation
• Skipping regular teeth cleanings at the dentist

Your family history can play a role as well. If your parents or other close family members have yellow or discolored teeth, your risk increases. 

How to get your teeth white again

If you have tried over-the-counter whitening products like toothpastes, gels, or kits, you know they usually don’t give you the kinds of results you want. That doesn’t mean all tooth whitening doesn’t work — the experts in our office are here to help. 

We offer professional teeth whitening, which can give you noticeably whiter teeth in just one hour-long session at our office. With this system, Dr. Duval paints a protective coating over your gums before carefully applying a stronger bleaching solution to your teeth. We can also use a special light to enhance the bleaching process by helping the hydrogen peroxide penetrate deeper into your enamel to break up more difficult stains.

We also offer an at-home whitening option where we take an impression of your teeth and give you custom-fitted bleaching trays and a professional-grade whitening solution. You apply the trays yourself at home, and you’ll have noticeably whiter teeth in a few weeks.

Sustaining white teeth

Teeth whitening isn’t a permanent procedure, but it can last a long time with the proper care. To make sure the results last as long as possible, we provide you with detailed follow-up instructions. You may also need to avoid certain foods and beverages to keep your teeth bright.

Another important step is consistent dental hygiene. You’ll want to be sure you schedule regular cleanings, as well as sticking with an optimal at-home hygiene routine of brushing at least twice a day, flossing at least once a day, and using an antibacterial mouthwash. You need to avoid plaque buildup, bacteria, and tooth decay to keep your teeth sparkling!

If you’d like to learn more about our teeth whitening services and find out if you might be a candidate, schedule an appointment at Duval Orthodontics today.