Tooth discoloration or yellowing can happen for many reasons. The external surface of the tooth can become stained after consuming sodas, coffees, teas, red wines and more. Smoking and chewing tobacco also commonly result in extrinsic stains along with insufficient flossing and/or brushing to remove stain causing substances. Sometimes the inner surface of the actual tooth darkens. Using too much fluoride can result in the teeth turning chalky with white spots or brownish marks. Even prescription antibiotics such as minocycline and tetracycline if used during early years as a child or the 2nd half of being pregnant may become incorporated with the inner structure of the tooth resulting in the intrinsic yellowing of the teeth and a brownish to grayish color. Discoloring related to aging is generally a combination of extrinsic and intrinsic factors. When a person gets older, the mineral structure of the teeth weakens to become less porous, making the teeth appear to be darker. The outer portion of the tooth will get thinner allowing the discolored inside be more visible. Occasionally, a tooth that is extrinsically stained for an extended time penetrates the interior tooth structure, resulting in a yellowing of the tooth.

Steps to Whiten Teeth at Home

There are numerous tooth whitening treatments out there that can eradicate surface area staining and help whiten the teeth. They come in all forms: gels, rinses, pastes and even gums!

1. Try a tooth whitening gel. They are usually clear and peroxide-based, applied with a soft brush on the surface area the teeth. These types of gels should be utilized at least twice a day to acquire considerable whiter results quickly.

2. Use a whitening toothpastes which contain mild abrasives that help in the eliminating of stains on the external surface area of the teeth when brushing. Several toothpastes contain gentle polishing or chemical agents that offer more discoloration eradication effectiveness.

3. Chew teeth whitening gums. Gum are the most cost effective as well as simplest tooth whitening solution to try. These products can be bought over-the-counter and can be safely used everyday. Trident and Orbit brands have tooth whitening gums that claim to freshen breath and producing much brighter smiles.

4. Rinse daily with a hydrogen peroxide based teeth whitening rinse. These rinses look like a typical mouthwash which helps freshen one's breath and prevent gum problems but aim to whiten the teeth.

5. One of the first teeth whitening products to hit the market was in the form of strips. Many whitening strips feature hydrogen peroxide as a bleaching agent with whitening results in as little as a couple of days. Overall results usually are sustained for as much as 4 months.

6. Another product to try is whitening floss, though it will not actually bleach your teeth. Whitening floss makes teeth seem more white simply by eliminating any dark particles between them. They even feature minute abrasive particles or can contain calcium hydroxide which helps break down many excess proteins that cause discoloration of teeth.

7. Tray-based whiteners can be purchased over the counter or directly from a dentist. It involves utilizing a plastic mouth tray that has a teeth whitening solution which is gel-based peroxide-bleaching agent. This tray is usually utilized for either a couple of hours everyday or routinely at nighttime.