Yellow teeth are not a great look – everyone always wants a bright and white Hollywood smile. But what causes yellow teeth and how can you prevent it from happening in the first place?

There are two related reasons why your teeth slowly turn from white to yellow. The first well known one is foods and drinks that stain them directly – drinks like coffee, black tea and wine will be at the top of the list.

The second less commonly known reason is acids in certain foods and particularly drinks that wear away your teeth’s white enamel coating. Soda for instance is highly acidic and regularly leaving it sitting on your teeth can start to wear down their protective outer layer.

The best way to avoid yellowing of the teeth is to do two simple things after eating or drinking. The first is to have a big sip of water after you’ve finished your meal or drink and swirl it around your mouth to clear away any acids or staining compounds. Just remembering this alone can make a big difference to how white your teeth stay.

The second is to actively try and get more saliva into your mouth after eating and let it move over your teeth. It’s easy to do after a sip of water and saliva is your mouth’s natural defense against enamel erosion, staining and cavities.

If your teeth need a touch up, try teeth whitening at the Carte Blanche. It is one of the simplest cosmetic procedures if done right. Doing it right means using a proper whitening agent (that is, a good hydrogen peroxide gel) and an appropriate whitening accelerator. The procedure is pain-free, very efficient and affordable. You’ll have a Hollywood smile in no time.

For more information on Carte Blanche visit carteblancheteeth.com or call (626) 233-1981.