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 go from a yellow smile to a brilliant white one very quickly, your best option is to see your dentist for an in-office whitening treatment. Your dentist will use a whitener with a strong concentration of hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, sometimes along with a light to speed the whitening process up. Your teeth will be noticeably whiter at the end of the treatment, though 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 with 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 drug store or supermarket, from whitening strips to mouthwashes, 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. A good option for a gradual whitening toothpaste is Colgate® Optic White® Whiten and Protect; it whitens teeth while sealing out future stains. 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. For whitening on the go, try the Colgate Optic White® Toothbrush + Whitening Pen.