9 Everyday Habits and Products That Can Help Keep Teeth Looking Whiter

Why Clean Teeth Can Still Look Yellow

Spotless teeth aren’t necessarily bright white. Natural tooth colour varies from person to person, and the yellowish dentine under the enamel shows through more as enamel thins with age (ADA (opens in a new tab)). Cleaning removes plaque and surface stains, which helps teeth look their best, but it can’t change the colour of the tooth itself. If yours look yellow despite good cleaning, our guide to the causes of yellow teeth explains the possibilities.

9 Habits and Products to Understand

1. Brush Twice Daily With Fluoride Toothpaste

The ADA recommends brushing twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste (ADA MouthHealthy (opens in a new tab)). Twice-daily brushing removes the plaque film that stains cling to, and fluoride helps protect enamel against decay.

2. Clean Between Your Teeth Daily

A toothbrush can’t reach between teeth, where plaque and food collect and stains often start. Floss, interdental brushes or another between-teeth cleaner once a day removes plaque from those surfaces and under the gum line (ADA MouthHealthy (opens in a new tab)).

3. Understand Whitening Toothpaste

Whitening toothpastes mainly use abrasives to polish off surface stains, and some add a low level of peroxide (ADA (opens in a new tab)). They can help with tea, coffee or smoking stains. They won’t noticeably change the colour inside the tooth, and a 2020 review cited by the ADA found them less effective than whitening strips. Choosing one that also contains fluoride means you don’t trade decay protection for stain removal.

4. Use a Soft-Bristled Toothbrush

Soft bristles clean effectively without scouring enamel or irritating gums, and they’re what the ADA recommends (ADA MouthHealthy (opens in a new tab)). Replace your brush every three or four months, or sooner if the bristles splay.

5. Avoid Excessive Brushing Pressure

Short, gentle strokes with the brush angled toward the gum line clean well. Pressing hard can wear enamel and push gums back over time, and worn enamel can make teeth look more yellow. More on this in our guide to protecting your enamel while whitening.

6. Limit Repeated Exposure to Staining Drinks

Coffee, tea, red wine and cola are common culprits for surface stains (ADA (opens in a new tab)). Frequency matters as much as quantity: sipping one coffee over three hours exposes teeth for longer than drinking it in one go. Tobacco is another major source of staining.

7. Rinse With Water After Staining Foods or Drinks

A swig of water after coffee or red wine washes away some pigment before it settles. If the drink was also acidic, wait at least 30 minutes before brushing so the enamel isn’t brushed while it’s softened (Better Health Channel (opens in a new tab)).

8. Understand the Difference Between Plaque and Tartar

Plaque is a soft, sticky film that brushing and cleaning between teeth can remove. Left in place, it can harden into yellow or brown tartar (calculus), usually near the gum line, and tartar can only be removed by a dental professional (Dental Health Services Victoria (opens in a new tab)).

9. Maintain Appropriate Dental Checkups

Regular check-ups catch decay and gum problems early, and a professional clean removes tartar and stubborn surface stains. How often you need one depends on your oral health, so follow your dental team’s advice. Our overview of professional whitening and cleaning options explains how a clean differs from bleaching.

Whitening Toothpaste vs. Bleaching Products

For a full comparison of methods, including where bleaching fits, see our main guide to whitening teeth at home.

Can Toothpaste Remove Hardened Tartar?

No. Tartar-control toothpastes can help slow new build-up, but once plaque has hardened, brushing won’t remove it. A dental professional removes it with instruments in a process called scaling. Scraping at tartar yourself risks damaging enamel and gums, so leave it to your dental appointment.

Summary

Daily cleaning and fewer staining exposures are what keep teeth looking clean. Whitening toothpaste is a useful extra for surface stains, not a bleach, an enamel repair or a tartar remover. For those, you need different tools: bleaching products, fluoride and professional cleaning respectively.

Frequently Asked Questions