Dr. Pradeep D

A sparkling set of shiny white teeth can make a smile more appealing and infectious. Yellow teeth can be extremely embarrassing and annoying. The important dental tissues that make up a tooth include the Enamel, Dentin, Cementum and the Pulp, of these four tissues, the enamel (the white and hard teeth surface) and the dentin (pale brown) are responsible for the tooth colour. Any damage to these two tissues bring about teeth discolouration and factors that contribute significantly towards yellowing of teeth include:

1. Poor dental care and hygiene like improper and inadequate flossing and brushing techniques.
2. Unhealthy lifestyle habits like chewing of tobacco and betel nuts, smoking, excessive consumption of alcohol, tea and coffee.
3. Certain medical conditions and treatments (chemotherapy and radiation) can adversely affect the dentin and the enamel. Antihistamines are also known to stain the teeth. It is best to avoid mouth washes containing Cetylpyridinium Chloride.
4. With age, the enamel tends to thin naturally exposing the dentin that lies underneath it.
5. Fluoride intake in excess can stain and discolour the teeth.
6. Yellow or discoloured teeth can also be genetic.

Yellow teeth, though frustrating, can be fully treated. The mode and success of the treatment is largely influenced by the extent of the teeth discolouration.

1. Avoid smoking and chewing of tobacco as much as possible. Control the intake of drinks and foods that can stain and discolour your teeth.
2. Practice healthy dental hygiene. Brush your teeth twice daily.
3. Some whitening agents (over-the-counter) can be effectively used to treat yellow teeth.
4. Dental veneers are a great way to deal with yellow teeth.
5. For a healthy set of white teeth with pearly shine, consult a dentist every six months.

In addition, several natural and homemade remedies can also prove to be beneficial

1. Nothing can treat yellow teeth more effectively than baking soda. Brushing your teeth with toothpaste mixed with baking soda (about a quarter teaspoon) can do the yellow teeth a world of good. Using a mixture of baking soda with vinegar (white), lemon juice and hydrogen peroxide is an effective natural remedy.
2. A healthy practice to get rid of yellow teeth is to rub the teeth with orange peel every night.
3. Rubbing the teeth with Strawberry paste will help to reduce the yellow stain greatly.
4. The benefits of lemon are known to all. Brush your teeth with a mixture of lemon juice and salt. Wash it off after a few minutes and the yellow tinge will be a thing of the past.
5. Charcoal, Apples and Basil leaves are powerful natural ingredients to treat yellow teeth.

Your smile is precious! Do not lose it to yellow teeth.

Overall oral health consists of health of both the soft and the hard tissues in the mouth. While teeth are the hard tissues, the soft tissues include the lips, tongue, cheek, palate, and most importantly the gums. The gums or the periodontium (perio - around, dont - tooth) surrounds the tooth and provides nutritional support and structural support with its connective tissue. The gums are the unsung heroes in maintaining a healthy set of teeth.

It is common observation that dental decay is more attended to than gum disease.  The symptoms associated with decay, be it discoloration, food lodgment, sensitivity, and sometimes pain are a lot more demanding.

The bad news is that the same bacteria have a harmful effect on the gums too. The good news is that gum disease also (like tooth decay), takes time to develop. The bacteria in the mouth and the plaque are the main initiators of gum disease too. It is more innocuous and not immediately attended to, sometime even gets ignored for years until it become severe and mandates treatment. Certain medical conditions like pregnancy, diabetes, stroke, etc., lead to greater severity of the gum disease.

Chronic gum or periodontal disease, if left untreated, can even lead to multiple tooth loss and require dentures much earlier than required. It is not difficult to diagnose gum disease as the symptoms are quite easy to identify, including

• Red, swollen, or painful gums:  As with any infection, redness and swelling and pain are the first symptoms of gum disease too.
• Spontaneous bleeding of gums: The gums can look spongy and puffed and can sometimes bleed without even a touch
• Chronic bad breath: The bacteria are constantly acting on the food debris to produce acid, leading to a bad breath (halitosis)
• Pressure on the gums can produce pus: Cumulative infection can lead to gingival abscess
• Bad taste in the mouth: If there is an abscess, it will discharge pus into the mouth, leading to this metallic taste
• Gingival recession, where the tooth appears to have grown longer. The gum line recedes from its original place, exposing more of the tooth.  This also causes greater sensitivity, especially to hot or cold foods
• Slight loosening of the teeth (in severe cases) as the fibers loosen their hold around the tooth.
• Painful chewing, it puts extra pressure on the fibers of the periodontium.

Some people are more prone for gum disease than others. The risk factors include smoking, increased 
female hormones, and chronic illnesses like diabetes and cancer.

Management: Regular visits to the dentist can help identify these at an early stage and manage both progression and severity. Additionally, managing risk factors like smoking and chronic illnesses also is helpful.