The foods we eat, the beverages we drink and age itself conspire against our teeth, making them yellow and less attractive over time. Whether your teeth are lightly stained or very yellowed, it is possible to go from yellow teeth to white teeth, gradually or very quickly, depending on the method of whitening you choose.
Fast and Professional
If you need to change a yellow smile into a brilliant white one very quickly, your best option is to see your dentist for an in-office whitening treatment. Your dentist may use a whitener with a strong concentration of hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, sometimes along with a light to speed up the whitening process. Your teeth will be noticeably whiter at the end of the treatment, although your dentist may suggest more than one treatment if your teeth have yellowed considerably.
In-Home Whitening
Your dentist can also provide you with an in-home whitening kit including a custom mouthpiece and a whitening gel that has a lower concentration of hydrogen peroxide than the in-office treatment. By wearing the mouthpiece filled with whitening gel each day for a number of weeks, you can achieve a whiter smile. This type of whitening takes longer than an in-office treatment, but can still give you a brighter smile in as little as two or three weeks.
Over-the-Counter Whitening Products
There is also an ever-growing array of whitening products you can buy in any pharmacy or supermarket, from mouthwashes to toothpastes and even whitening pens. These contain a lower concentration of whitening agent, and the toothpastes often contain an abrasive to help remove surface stains from the enamel of your teeth. While these products do not work as quickly as professional treatments, they are extremely convenient ways to work toward your goal of turning yellow teeth to white teeth.
Whichever option you choose to whiten your smile, be sure to consult your dentist to ensure the solution is the best one for your teeth.
