Dentist Ferakh Hamid from Aesthetique Dental Care in Leeds has identified two prevalent toothbrushing mistakes that may lead to teeth yellowing, mistakes that are easily rectifiable.
Dr. Hamid points out that many people skip wetting their toothbrush before brushing, mistakenly believing this will help eliminate stains more effectively. However, he explains that dry brushing can actually dull the appearance of teeth, making them look more yellow. “Wetting your toothbrush before applying toothpaste is a crucial step,” Dr. Hamid says. “It allows the toothpaste to spread more evenly, enhancing the cleaning process. Dry brushing may initially seem effective at removing surface stains, but it leads to less effective cleaning and a duller appearance.”
The second common mistake is brushing too soon after consuming acidic foods and drinks. Acidic substances, such as fruit juices, wine, and fizzy drinks—both sugary and sugar-free—can weaken tooth enamel. Brushing immediately after consuming these can exacerbate the problem. “Brushing while the enamel is still weakened exposes the yellower dentin layer beneath, making your teeth appear more yellow,” Dr. Hamid warns. He advises waiting at least an hour after eating acidic foods before brushing to allow the enamel to recover and to maintain tooth health.
Dr. Hamid’s insights follow recent concerns raised by another dentist about the limitations of whitening toothpastes. A viral TikTok video, viewed over 2 million times, revealed that such toothpastes might not genuinely whiten teeth. Instead, while they may provide temporary brightness by scrubbing away surface stains, their abrasive nature can lead to thinner, more sensitive teeth over time. This erosion exposes the naturally yellow dentin layer beneath.
These issues come against the backdrop of ongoing challenges in accessing affordable NHS dental care. Current data indicates that only 40% of adults in England have seen an NHS dentist in the past two years, a decline from nearly 50% before the COVID-19 pandemic. For children, who have free access to NHS dental care, attendance has dropped to 56% from nearly 60% pre-pandemic.
The decrease in NHS dental appointments has been exacerbated by the pandemic, which led to temporary closures of dental practices. Despite the easing of lockdown restrictions, NHS dental services have not fully recovered. The British Dental Association (BDA) attributes this to the less lucrative nature of NHS work compared to private practice, leading many dentists to reduce or abandon NHS commitments.
The BDA has noted that many NHS dentists have left the service or significantly cut back their NHS work post-pandemic. This shortage has resulted in increased pressure on remaining practitioners, with a survey revealing that three-quarters of NHS dentists are experiencing burnout and 86% have faced physical or verbal abuse from frustrated patients.
The ongoing crisis has driven some Brits to seek dental care abroad or resort to DIY treatments at home due to the high costs of private care in the UK.
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