There can be many causes of yellow teeth – some may beexternal, and some internal. If you often find yourself wondering, “Is in-office teeth whitening effective if my teeth are yellow?”, you aren’t alone. Fortunately, there are treatment options available if you find your smile to be less than a dazzling, pearly white. In-office professional teeth whitening is the most powerful, effective treatment available when it comes to brightening up your smile.

Teeth can become yellow for several different reasons. The layer of dentin beneath the outer layer of protective, white enamel is actually a dark yellowish-brown color. As we go through life, there are many substances that wear away at the enamel such as acidic foods and drinks, leaving the darker layer of dentin showing through as a yellowish tint on the “surface” of the teeth. Acid reflux or conditions such as bulimia can also erode the enamel and cause teeth to appear yellow.

From the very beginning, your dentist will set you up for success when it comes to whitening. You’ll receive a full exam to check for underlying problems that could have led to the yellow teeth, and your teeth will be fully cleaned to remove plaque and provide a clean slate on which the treatment can be applied. This will increase the effectiveness of the whitening solution as there won’t be harmful plaque interfering with the treatment as it fully penetrates the surfaces of the teeth.

In-office teeth whitening is a powerful solution to stained teeth, especially if they are yellow on a deeper level than just surface stains. Intrinsic stains can be a sign of other underlying issues, which is another reason it’s very important that a dentist perform a full exam before applying a professional whitening treatment. Whitening is important for aesthetic reasons, but the process of treatment can also provide insight into oral or overall health problems that may be causing the issues in the first place.

Once the whitening treatment is applied, your dentist will use a powerful light or heating apparatus to harden and set the treatment in place. Teeth can be whitened multiple shades in just one visit, although sometimes multiple visits will be necessary.

Beware – there are some stains that will be resistant, even to in-office professional whitening. That’s one of the reasons it is absolutely imperative that you receive a full exam by your dentist to determine what type of yellowing you have and what the potential source of discoloration is. Your dentist is the most qualified person to advise you on the most effective treatment for your particular situation.

There are many options for whitening if you struggle with yellow teeth, with in-office teeth whitening being one of the most effective. Don’t let yellowing teeth take a toll on your self-confidence and rob the world of your beautiful, radiant smile. If you live in the St. Augustine area, Dental Remedies is an excellent place to consult with a dental professional about in-office teeth whitening for yellow teeth.