Yellow teeth: causes, solutions and alternatives to bleaching

Causes for yellow teeth

Before you start looking for the best method to whiten your teeth, it is important to understand the causes of your teeth discolouration. From natural factors such as ageing and the condition of your teeth, to external influences such as diet and medication, there are many reasons why your teeth may appear yellow. In the following sections, we'll delve deeper into these causes so you can better understand what's behind the colour of your smile.

Enamel and dentin: What's behind it?

Your enamel is the hardest substance in your body and protects your teeth like armour. It is usually white or slightly translucent. Directly underneath is the dentin, a yellowish material. As you get older or your teeth are exposed to strong acids, the enamel can become thinner. This causes the dentin to show through, giving your teeth a yellowish tinge. Unfortunately, enamel cannot regenerate itself, so you need to take good care of it.

Food and stimulants: The blobs of colour in your life

Do you love coffee, tea or red wine? These drinks, along with spices like curry, can affect the colour of your teeth. They contain pigments that can deposit on the surface of your teeth and discolour them over time. And if you smoke, that's another reason why your teeth won't be bright white. If you don't want to give up these stimulants altogether, at least try to brush your teeth thoroughly afterwards and reduce your consumption somewhat.

Medication: The unintended colour changers

Do you take medication regularly? Some of them, such as the antibiotic tetracycline, can cause discolouration of the teeth. Some antihistamines and antipsychotic medications can also cause yellowing of the teeth. If you notice that your teeth are discoloured and you are regularly taking medication, it is best to speak to the dental experts at our ALPINE WHITE Studio.

Oral hygiene and dental care

Discolouration can be both extrinsic and intrinsic, affecting the surface of the teeth and the dentin. Whether it's whitening your teeth or simply improving your overall oral health, effective oral hygiene and dental care are key.

In this context, choosing the right products also plays a crucial role. Mouthwashes with chlorhexidine, for example, can help inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria, while special toothpastes are designed to whiten your teeth and reduce staining.

In the following sections, we will dive deeper into the different aspects of oral hygiene and dental care to show you how to keep your smile bright and healthy.

Brushing and toothpaste: Your daily routine with specialised options from ALPINE WHITE

Regular brushing is essential for the health of your teeth and gums. Choosing the right toothpaste can make a big difference. ALPINE WHITE offers a range of special whitening toothpastes tailored to different needs:

• Whitening Toothpaste Extra White: This toothpaste is ideal for those who want an extra bright smile. It contains whitening agents, such as Charcoal Powder, which effectively remove discolouration and restore your teeth's natural shine.
• Whitening Toothpaste Sensitivity Relief: If you have sensitive teeth, this toothpaste is the right choice for you. Not only does it offer the benefits of whitening, but it also contains beneficial ingredients that reduce tooth sensitivity.
• Whitening Toothpaste Anti Plaque: This toothpaste is specially formulated to fight plaque and tartar while whitening teeth.

All these toothpastes have an appropriate RDA value and can therefore be used for daily dental care without hesitation.

With ALPINE WHITE's specialised Whitening Toothpastes, you can be sure that you are choosing a toothpaste that is perfectly suited to your individual needs. This will bring you closer to your goal of a radiant smile every day.

Dental floss and mouth rinses: For the hard to reach places

Flossing is another important step in your oral care routine. It helps remove food debris and plaque from between teeth that a toothbrush alone cannot reach. Complementing this, mouthwashes containing chlorhexidine can promote dental health and minimise the risk of gingivitis.

Fluoride and protective coating: extra protection for your teeth

Fluoride toothpastes and mouthwashes can form an extra protective layer on the enamel that helps prevent future staining.

Professional teeth cleaning

Dental hygiene is a crucial factor when it comes to keeping your teeth healthy and free of discolouration. At ALPINE WHITE, special emphasis is placed on comprehensive and individually tailored dental hygiene. The specialist staff recognise signs of caries at an early stage and prevent them. Treatment is carried out using the latest technologies, including AIRFLOW technology, which gently removes microbial plaque. With the ultrasonic piezon-no-pain method, tartar and stubborn discolouration don't stand a chance. Finally, your teeth are polished and, if desired, a fluoride varnish is applied to delay the formation of plaque and caries.

Why is professional teeth cleaning so effective against discolouration? The answer lies in the thorough removal of plaque and tartar, which are often the main cause of tooth discolouration. By using advanced technologies, ALPINE WHITE can provide a particularly thorough and gentle cleaning that goes far beyond what you can achieve with daily dental care at home.

Bleaching and alternatives

For many people, a bright white smile is a sign of health, self-confidence and attractiveness. But our teeth are not always as white as we would like them to be. Fortunately, there are a lot of variations to treat discolouration and achieve a radiant smile. From professional bleaching methods at the dentist's office or at our ALPINE WHITE Studio to home bleaching kits and peroxide-free alternatives - the choice is wide. ALPINE WHITE offers you a range of effective and gentle solutions tailored to your individual needs. In the following sections, you will learn more about the different bleaching options and why ALPINE WHITE is the ideal choice for your bright white smile.

Professional bleaching: The expert solution

In the dental office, professional bleaching with hydrogen peroxide is often performed, often known as power bleaching. However, ALPINE WHITE offers an innovative and painless alternative: in-office bleaching with PAP (phthalimidoperoxycaproicacid). PAP is a peroxide-free substance that effectively removes discolouration without damaging the enamel or gums. The treatment is completely painless and is performed by dental professionals. In addition, the final tooth colour is measured and a whitening strip is applied to optimise the result.

Home bleaching: Conveniently from home

If you prefer to whiten your teeth in the comfort of your own home, ALPINE WHITE offers special home whitening products. These include the Whitening Strips and the Whitening Kit, both of which are peroxide-free and enable effective tooth whitening.

Why PAP?

PAP is an excellent alternative to traditional bleaching agents such as hydrogen peroxide. It is less damaging to the enamel and gums, but still offers effective results. This makes it an ideal solution for people looking for gentle but effective teeth whitening.

Hydrogen peroxide in tooth whitening products: Switzerland vs. USA

In Switzerland, the rules for tooth whitening products are quite strict. If a product contains hydrogen peroxide, it may only be used by professionals such as dentists or dental hygienists. And even then, the amount allowed is limited: Products with more than 6% hydrogen peroxide are not allowed in Switzerland.

In the USA, the situation is quite different. There, you can easily buy teeth whitening products with hydrogen peroxide in the shop, and often the concentrations are much higher than allowed in Switzerland.

This shows how different the views are on the safety of hydrogen peroxide. In Switzerland, people prefer to play it safe to avoid possible health risks. In the USA, the rules are more relaxed, which offers more choice, but can also bring more risks.

Home remedies and natural solutions: Activated charcoal and turmeric

Some people swear by home remedies such as activated charcoal or turmeric to whiten their teeth. Although the effectiveness of these methods is controversial, many look for natural ways to whiten their teeth.

Natron: A controversial household remedy

Baking soda is often touted as a natural home remedy for whitening teeth. However, it is important to understand that baking soda should not be used as a bleaching agent in the classical sense. Although it has abrasive properties that can remove surface stains, the use of baking soda also carries risks. It can attack and erode the delicate enamel, which can lead to dental problems in the long term. Therefore, it is advisable not to use natron as a means of whitening teeth, but to use professional and tested methods.

Further options: Veneers and dentures

For severe cases of discoloured teeth, veneers or dentures can also be considered. These offer a permanent solution for those who aspire to a bright white smile.

With this comprehensive guide to the various options for teeth whitening, both professionally and for at-home use, ALPINE WHITE provides you with all the tools you need to achieve or restore your radiant white smile.

Conclusion

Yellow teeth can be caused by a variety of factors, from natural tooth colour to tooth decay. Good oral hygiene and regular visits to our ALPINE WHITE Studio are best for prevention. There are many ways, from professional teeth cleaning to home remedies, to achieve a white smile. However, one should always keep the health of the teeth and gums in mind.