What Causes Yellow Teeth?

Yellow or faded teeth are an issue a lot of people struggle with. It’s often caused by pigmented food and beverages and tobacco products like cigarettes, cigars, or chewing tobacco. The most appropriate method to whiten teeth is to prevent staining before they occur. For best results, you can continue regular dental checkups and practice good oral hygiene.

Causes of Yellowish Teeth

Yellow teeth happen for many reasons:

Smoking or Tobacco Use

Smoking and tobacco products contain nicotine, which is highly addictive. It usually leaves brown or yellow stains on the teeth.

Diseases

Treatment for certain health conditions can significantly affect the tooth shade. For example, chemotherapy and neck and head radiation can result in damage to the dentin and enamel. Moreover, certain infections in pregnant women can also contribute to tooth discoloration in their infants by affecting enamel development.

Genetics

Genetics also plays an essential role in making your teeth yellow. For example, if the teeth of your family member are yellow, your teeth will likely be of the same shade.

Certain Drinks and Foods

Teeth also turn yellow from consuming foods or drinks like coffee, blueberries, tea, red wine, colas, veggies, potatoes, apples, etc. Get in touch with the dentist near you for general dental care tips.

Certain Medicines

Medications like tetracycline, doxycycline, drugs for high blood pressure, antihistamines, etc. can also lead to yellow teeth. Speak with the Auburn, WA, dentist if you experience any potential side effects of the medicines you are taking.

Age

Age is another reason behind yellow teeth. As our age progresses, our teeth shade starts turning yellowish. But it is a natural process. It usually occurs because the enamel (white protective coating) fades with time due to daily wear and tear on teeth. This means older adults are more likely to have yellow teeth.

Poor Oral Hygiene

Lack of oral hygiene or poor dental care can also discolor your teeth. When you do not floss, brush and wash your mouth, it increases the tartar and plaque buildup and declines your oral health badly.

Ignoring a biannual dental visit can also stain teeth. So, make sure you schedule a biannual visit to the dentist and also adhere to the proper dental hygiene to keep your teeth naturally white and clean.

Dentin

Teeth turn yellow when you have thin enamel. It causes the dentin underneath to display. Dentin is a brown or deep yellow material under the enamel. If you have thick enamel, it typically masks the dentin. However, it does not always block the stubborn stains on the tooth surface.

Dental Materials

Amalgam silver dental restoration containing silver sulfide can also create a gray-black shade to the teeth. As you get older, the enamel outer layer starts experiencing wear and tear. It exposes the natural shape of dentin.

Trauma

Damage caused by trauma is another reason behind yellow teeth. It can also disturb the enamel buildup in young kids whose teeth are still growing. If teeth experience a serious shock after an accident or a fall, they can also change colors.

Fluorosis

Fluoride toothpaste, fluoridated water, fluoride treatments, and tablets are the sources rich in fluoride. However, excess fluoride levels can also lead to brown or yellow spots on the teeth. This condition is known as fluorosis.

It is usually caused by overconsumption of juices, fluoridated drinking water, and supplements as a kid. So, if you think that your kid is consuming too much fluoride, talk to the dentist immediately.

Tooth Grinding

Constant grinding of teeth is known as bruxism. It’s a bad habit that can result in enamel damage, yellow teeth, or cracks on teeth.

A Sugar-Rich Diet

If you are one of those that consume a diet high in sugar, it can also be the reason behind yellow staining on your teeth. The bacteria that feed sugar can erode enamel.

Sugar bits on teeth lead to a yellow smile and exposed dentin layer. So, avoid brushing your teeth straight after consuming a sugary carbonated beverage. You can wash your teeth using water thoroughly. Then, wait 30 minutes to let the saliva do its function. Then, brush your teeth.

If your teeth have got stains, Google search teeth whitening near you
or contact Sunrise Dental of Auburn as it provides numerous tooth whitening choices.