Maybe you’d love to take a family photo you can be proud of, but your yellow teeth keep you from smiling. You’re not alone! Some yellowing is completely normal, while other discoloration can result from lifestyle habits, aging, medications, or dental problems. Let’s dive further into the reasons behind teeth stains, as well as some solutions.
Aging and Natural Tooth Color
One of the most common reasons teeth become more yellow over time is simply aging. Your teeth have an outer layer called enamel, which is naturally light in color. Beneath the enamel is dentin, a yellowish tissue.
As you age, enamel gradually becomes thinner, allowing more of the naturally yellow dentin to show through. This type of discoloration cannot necessarily be prevented, but there are measures you can take to remedy it. More on that later!
Food and Drinks
Certain foods and beverages contain strong pigments that can stain tooth enamel. Coffee, tea, red wine, cola, berries, tomato-based sauces, and other deeply colored foods can contribute to surface staining, particularly when consumed frequently.
You don’t necessarily have to eliminate these foods and drinks from your diet. Rinsing your mouth with water after consuming them can help wash away some of the staining substances. Maintaining daily brushing and flossing habits can also help minimize buildup!
Smoking and Tobacco Use
Tobacco is another major contributor to yellow or brown tooth discoloration. Nicotine and tar can stain teeth, and the effects often become more noticeable with long-term use.
Quitting tobacco can help prevent additional staining while also providing significant benefits for your overall oral health.
Poor Oral Hygiene
Plaque and tartar buildup can make teeth appear yellow or dull. When plaque isn’t regularly removed through brushing and cleaning between the teeth, it can harden into tartar. Tartar cannot be removed effectively with a toothbrush alone and may contribute to discoloration along the gumline.
Make it a priority to consistently brush twice a day for two minutes and floss once a day if you want a cleaner, brighter smile.
Certain Medications and Dental Conditions
Some medications can cause intrinsic tooth discoloration, meaning the color change occurs within the tooth rather than simply on its surface. Certain antibiotics, for example, can cause discoloration under specific circumstances.
Trauma to a tooth can also cause it to darken or turn gray or yellow. Additionally, enamel defects and some dental conditions may affect tooth color. Because these problems may not respond to ordinary whitening products, a dental evaluation is important.
How Can You Whiten Yellow Teeth?
The best whitening approach depends on the reason for the discoloration. Professional, in-office teeth whitening can be highly effective for many types of stains on natural teeth; 1 hour of your time at the dentist could lighten the color of your teeth by several shades. A consultation with your dentist can determine whether whitening is appropriate and help you choose an option that fits your smile.
It’s also important to remember that crowns, veneers, fillings, and other restorations generally do not whiten like natural teeth.
Yellow teeth aren’t always a sign of poor oral hygiene or unhealthy teeth. However, a change in tooth color can sometimes indicate an underlying issue. If you’re unhappy with the color of your smile, your dentist can identify the likely cause and recommend the safest, most effective way to address it.
About the Author
For more than 20 years, Dr. John Jared Waite has worked hard to provide his patients with comprehensive preventive, restorative, and cosmetic dental services tailored to their individual desires and needs. He’s a graduate of the Baylor College of Dentistry in Dallas and has since advanced his learning by completing several postgraduate courses in cosmetic dentistry. If one of your dental goals is whiter teeth, Dr. Waite, with the help of his expert team, can perform in-office teeth whitening or give you a convenient take-home kit. Visit our website to book a consultation or call our Colorado Springs office at (719) 282-3400.