The human teeth are naturally white. However your teeth can lose this natural white colour through a process known as teeth discolouration.
This way, your teeth may turn from white to yellow. There are several factors that may trigger or actively contribute to your teeth turning yellow.
These include some diets, smoking, illness poor oral hygiene and excessive fluoride use. Not all teeth stains are the same though.
Depending on the cause of your teeth’ discolouration, you may develop internal or external stains. Learn more about the different stains and other basics on this page: https://dennistan.com.sg/teeth-whitening/.
Can Yellow Teeth be whitened?
You shouldn’t lose hope of having your teeth whitened if you have discoloured teeth. Yellow teeth can be whitened, and there are several options you can use to make your teeth white again.
Now, you may want to begin with the conventional home-based teeth whitening solutions you can easily find. Some of the options you may want to try in this case include oil pulling, brushing with baking soda, and using hydrogen peroxide.
If you wish to try oil pulling for teeth whitening in Singapore, you will need to swish oil in your mouth for around 15 to 20 minutes. This practice may help you reduce the plaque that coats your teeth to make them brighter and free of harmful bacteria.
Even though oil pulling is a common and safe practice for teeth whitening, there are no scientific pieces of evidence that suggest that it can actually whiten your teeth. Besides, you will need to do this for quite some time before noticing the changes you hope for.
If you fancy brushing your teeth with baking soda, you will need to first understand that this is an abrasive compound. Therefore, it works by scrubbing away the stains that form on your teeth.
Other than teeth whitening, baking soda will also help you stop harmful bacteria in your mouth from growing. Just like oil pulling, there are no scientific studies that point out that baking soda can help you whiten your teeth even though it’s a very common practice.
You will also need to repeat this procedure for some time to get the ideal results you hope for. Finally, if you wish to try hydrogen peroxide, which is also a pretty common option for whitening discoloured teeth, you will need to use it as a mouthwash or mix it with baking soda to make homemade toothpaste.
Before trying hydrogen peroxide for teeth whitening, it would be best if you understand that there are a few safety concerns surrounding its usage. Ideally, if you use strong hydrogen peroxide concentrations for teeth whitening, there is a risk of this compound causing gum irritation.
It may also increase your tooth sensitivity. Finally, there are also concerns that high hydrogen peroxide doses may cause cancer.
Therefore, you will need to be careful when using hydrogen peroxide as a mouthwash. Just to be safe, if you plan to use hydrogen peroxide, ensure that you use just 1.5 percent to 3 percent hydrogen peroxide concentration.
This can help you avoid the side effects. To avoid risks that would come due to overuse, like tooth enamel erosion, it is also advisable that you do not use hydrogen peroxide daily.
Is it really worth it getting your Teeth Whitened by the Dentist?
If you have tried home-based teeth whitening options with no success or got less appealing results, you may want to find a dentist for professional teeth whitening in Singapore. It is worth getting your teeth whitened at the dentist because of three primary reasons;
- Professional teeth whitening in Singapore is safe. A qualified dentist won’t try a teeth whitening option that’s not medically proven on you. Besides, even if chemicals are used, they will be keen to use them in the right proportions to significantly, reduce risks of complications.
- Professional teeth whitening treatments are effective: Again, your dentist will only recommend a treatment option with the highest success rates. Besides, it won’t take too long before you get the results you’re hoping for.
- The treatments are done under supervision: Even though professional teeth whitening treatments are safe, there is still some slight risk of complications. In an accredited facility, these risks are further minimised since you will get your treatment under the watch of a dental professional.
Do note that there are also cosmetic clinics that offer teeth whitening in Singapore as part of their services. Now, if you were considering getting your teeth whitened in a beauty salon, do not consent to the treatment unless you’re sure that the vendor who will be helping you with this treatment is a regulated dental professional like a dental therapist or hygienist.
As a general rule, though, you should always insist that you be treated by a registered dentist. Here are some of the ways your dentist can help you whiten yellow teeth:
- Use of mouthguard with bleaching gel: If a mouthguard is recommended for your teeth whitening in Singapore, the dentist will give you a customised mouthguard with a bleaching gel to use at home.
- Laser whitening: In laser whitening, your dentist will apply a bleaching product to your teeth. They will then shine laser light on the teeth to activate the bleaching agent and whiten your teeth.
- Veneers: If the bleaching gels still don’t work for you, a knowledgeable dentist may recommend dental veneers. The veneers do not necessarily remove the discolouration on your teeth. They’re fixed on your teeth to conceal the discoloured teeth. Again, this treatment is customised to give you a more natural look.
How long does Teeth Whitening Last?
The results from your teeth whitening in Singapore are not permanent. Therefore, you should not expect the changes to last forever.
There are, however a few things that your dentist would want you to do to make the results last for as long as possible. For example, you will need to stop smoking if you are an active smoker.
You will also need to watch your diet. Here, you will need to avoid foodstuffs that may cause staining on your teeth, such as cola, coffee, and red wine. You may also need to limit sugary and starchy foodstuffs as they increase the risks of plaque formation on your teeth.
Get Teeth Whitening in Singapore
You can go from yellow to white teeth. Before trying a treatment though, be sure to understand the risks. We customise teeth whitening treatments to suit needs of every patient. Give us a call to book your treatment consultation.
Dennis Tan Dental Surgery
11 Collyer Quay, #03-28, Singapore 049317
+65 6438 5622
https://dennistan.com.sg/
