Can Yellow Teeth Turn White Again?
Yellow teeth won’t whiten on their own, but you can restore lost whiteness with professional dental treatments. The results you can achieve depend on the type of discolouration you have and whether your cosmetic treatment is provided or supervised by an experienced dentist.
Read on to learn all about teeth whitening, veneers and other cosmetic dentistry options to enhance your smile. To schedule a consultation and discuss your own smile options with a dentist in Mosman, get in touch with our team today.
Can very yellow teeth become white again?
Teeth whitening using bleaching agents works best on teeth with extrinsic (external) stains left by food and drink or tobacco. If your teeth have intrinsic (internal) discolouration, or are more severely discoloured, you may not be suitable for chemical whitening treatments. However, your dentist can discuss other options that could be effective, such as placing a veneer or crown.
Good maintenance such as daily brushing, avoiding staining food and drinks and having a regular check-up and clean at the dental clinic can help your teeth to stay white for longer and delay your next whitening treatment.
How can I make my old yellow teeth white again?
Your dentist will discuss your options for restoring a white smile at your consultation, which will depend on the type of stains or discolouration you have and your preferences. These might include teeth whitening, veneers, crowns or other treatment options.
- Teeth whitening: Involves applying bleaching gel with a whitening agent such as hydrogen peroxide to teeth. This may be done at the dental clinic for instant results or at home using a custom whitening kit provided by your dentist to achieve results in 1–2 weeks. Best for teeth with surface stains.
- Dental veneers: Thin shells made of porcelain or composite resin bonded to the front surface of teeth to change their appearance. Veneers are a permanent treatment that can modify teeth with a wide range of cosmetic issues, including discoloured, misaligned and short teeth. Porcelain veneers look more natural and last longer, but composite veneers are a cheaper option.
- Dental crowns: If a tooth is worn down or damaged, placing a crown over the tooth can restore its strength and shape as well as its whiteness. Your tooth will need to be reduced in size before you dentist fits a crown, which may be made from porcelain (ceramic) or metal. At Mosman 3D Dental, we offer same day ceramic crowns.
Is teeth whitening safe and effective?
Teeth whitening treatments are considered safe and effective when they are provided by a qualified and experienced dental professional or when using a take-home kit following a dentist’s guidance. Whitening products bought from stores can be less effective and involve greater risks.
A summary of research found that whitening products using hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide are safe and effective when instructions are followed, but a consultation with a dentist is important to tailor the treatment to an individual’s needs. This can help to lower risks and avoid disappointment.
Book a consultation for teeth whitening in Mosman
Do you want to discuss your smile options? Call our friendly team at Mosman 3D Dental on (02) 9969 8610 to arrange a consultation today or book online.
References
Carey CM. Tooth whitening: what we now know. J Evid Based Dent Pract. 2014 Jun;14 Suppl:70-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jebdp.2014.02.006. Epub 2014 Feb 13. PMID: 24929591; PMCID: PMC4058574.