Can I get my yellow teeth white again?

Yellow and White Teeth - Teeth Whitening by Duxton Dental Christchurch


It’s one of the most frequent questions asked in Duxton Dental clinics in Christchurch, ‘Can I get my yellow teeth white again?’ or the variation of ‘Why are my teeth yellow when I brush them every day?’. The good news is yes, the majority of patients can transform their yellow teeth with professional teeth whitening.


If you suffer from yellow teeth, you likely have Googled the best way to get white teeth. No matter what you’ve read, your first port of call should be to access local cosmetic dentistry services. Before we deep dive into the reasons why, it’s important to bust some common misconceptions about staining and the colour of teeth.


·        Teeth are not naturally white

Although Hollywood films would have you believe otherwise, teeth are not ever naturally pearly white. The parts of your teeth that are visible above the gum line are dentin and enamel. Dentin is naturally a darker and yellow tissue and makes up the main bulk of a tooth. Enamel is whiter and protects the dentin but thins through wear and tear; hence teeth gain a more yellow appearance as we age.


·        Teeth get stained everyday

Teeth get stained through normal everyday activities and through lifestyle choices. What you consume influences the colour of your teeth. Eating colourful foods such as berries and tomato-based recipes; drinking coffee, cola and red wine also stain teeth. Smoking and some medications also cause tooth discolouration.


·        You don’t brush your teeth to get white teeth

This is a major mistaken belief in dental care. You do not brush your teeth to keep them white. You brush your teeth to remove damaging bacteria and the build-up of plaque. Yes, the plaque presents as a brown or yellow material, but you brush your teeth to prevent cavities form and to protect from tooth decay. You cannot correct yellow teeth through brushing alone.


Man & Woman with white teeth smiling


Why use a cosmetic dentist for teeth whitening?

Home teeth whitening kits are available online for a fraction of the cost of a cosmetic dentist. However, visiting a cosmetic dentist is the only guaranteed way to achieve the best teeth whitening results.


·        Optimised, long-lasting teeth whitening results

Any previous teeth restorations or even existing plaque risk the DIY teeth whitening method to emphasise any discolouration. A cosmetic dentist must examine your teeth to determine if you are eligible for teeth whitening. They will also assess the amount of treatment required to achieve a natural and satisfactory result. As a patient of Duxton Dental’s cosmetic dentistry clinic in Riccarton, your teeth are thoroughly cleaned before the tailored whitening procedure is undertaken to optimise and lengthen the teeth whitening results.



·        Tooth sensitivity and long-term dental harm avoided

The goal of any cosmetic dentist is to give you the perfect smile while preserving the life and health of your teeth. This means your mouth, teeth and gums are prepared ahead of the dental treatment to ensure they are not damaged during the procedure. This is crucial and should not be downplayed. Cheap teeth whitening agents can cause a lifetime of pain and sensitivity.


Duxton Dental believe honesty is always the best policy; if you are looking to change the colour of your teeth, you will always be given the best teeth whitening option in relation to the health of your unique mouth, teeth and gums, and a clear indication of the results you can achieve. Contact our Riccarton dentists in Christchurch on 03 348 5488 to make your first appointment. 

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Meet Our Dentists

  • Dental Surgeon - Graham Duttone

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    Grahame Dutton

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  • Dental Surgeon - Christine Duxbury

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    Christine Duxbury

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  • Dental Surgeon - Hayley Hall

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    Hayley Hall

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  • Dental Surgeon - Rhonda Gooding

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    Rhonda Gooding

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    Bayley Anderson

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