Introduction
Yellow teeth may not be as crucial as other dental diseases, but they can cost you the confidence and will to smile every day. Fortunately, improving tooth color can be as simple as changing the way you eat and drink while perfecting your oral care routine. You can even benefit from whitening treatment from your dentist. Here are ten common causes of this unwanted tint:
1. Genetics
Sometimes the tooth color is hereditary. If one of your parents’ teeth is yellow, yours is likely a similar color. Reddish brown, yellow, gray, and reddish-gray are the four natural hues of otherwise white teeth, and this depth of color ranges from light to dark on a spectrum.
2. Dentin
Teeth look yellow when the coating is thin, and the dentin underneath shows through. Dentin is a dark yellow to brownish material inside the teeth under the enamel and is often responsible for the yellow you see when you look in the mirror. The thick enamel covers the dentin, but keep in mind that it doesn’t always block the stains that form on the surface; another cause of the yellowing will explain later.
3. Use
Teeth turn yellow with age as tooth enamel wears away from chewing and exposure to acids from food and drinks. Most teeth turn yellow as this enamel thins as they age, but some take on a grayish hue mixed with a long-lasting food stain.
4. Smoking
Nicotine from smoking not only leads to unhealthy addiction; it also leaves yellowish or brownish stains on the surface of the tooth (one more reason to give up the habit).
5. Eat
A wide variety of foods stain teeth. Tomatoes in pasta sauce, curry spices, and berries contain pigments that adhere to the enamel and discolor this surface. A healthy salad with balsamic dressing can also leave an unpleasant color on your teeth.
6. Drinks
Coffee and tea are two of the most common reasons of yellow teeth, but red and white wine are also to blame. Other culprits are dark and light sodas and artificially flavored sports drinks.
7. Antibiotics
Tetracycline antibiotics stain the teeth as they develop in the gums.
According to a research study published in the Research Journal of Pharmacy and Technology, tetracycline antibiotics treat some common infectious diseases in children and adults. It strongly recommended that pregnant and lactating women do not take tetracycline antibiotics as they can discolor the teeth in the deciduous dentition of the developing fetus in the womb. Tetracycline and oxytetracycline produce a yellow color, while chlortetracycline causes a grayish-brown color. There is some evidence that oxytetracycline causes the least tooth discoloration of any tetracycline. Therefore, if you are taking tetracycline antibiotics, you may need to whiten your discolored teeth in the office.
8. Fluorosis
Fluoride is good for teeth, but too much fluoride can cause yellow or yellow spots called fluorosis. Fluoride water, fluoride-containing toothpaste, and prescription fluoride tablets and treatments are your most excellent sources of fluoride. Ask your dentist if you or your kid are concerned that you or your child will overuse this way.
9. Accidents
The effects of an accident or physical trauma can break down the enamel and damage the inside of the tooth, causing discoloration that may indicate bleeding that requires professional treatment.
10. Loops
Never-ending your teeth is an unconscious habit that some people have when stressed, especially when they are sleeping. Also known as bruxism, it is pretty harmful to tooth enamel, weakening it to the point of cracking and turning yellow.
Avoid yellow teeth
Brushing your teeth, professional cleaning, whitening treatments, and veneers should be your solution for yellow teeth. Thoroughly cleaning your teeth twice, a day is essential to avoid yellow stains on the surface. Also, floss once a day.
To combat deeper intrinsic discoloration, visit your dental hygienist, who will gently remove these nasty bacteria and tartar and polish your teeth while you sit in the dental chair. However, when it comes to enamel stains, it is better to be safe than sorry.
Don’t smoke and limit your intake of foods and drinks that turn yellow on your own. Finally, rinse your mouth with water after eating or drinking. With so many ways to whiten discolored teeth, you don’t have to be ashamed of your color. If you cannot fix the problem at home, your dentist will be happy to help you.
Also Read: How to get clear of dark spots on the face
