We all dream of having beautiful pearly whites and showing them off when we smile, but when our teeth have a yellow tinge, it can knock our confidence.
While many believe that teeth should naturally be perfectly white, that isn’t actually the case.
Even if you brush your teeth twice a day and take care of them to your heart’s content, they are naturally off-white in colour.
The part of your teeth that you see above the gums is made of dentin and enamel. Dentin makes up your tooth structure, while the enamel encases it and protects it.
These structures can make your teeth appear yellow.
What Makes Teeth Go Yellow?
While teeth aren’t naturally perfectly white, there are a few factors that can cause them to stain, making them more yellow.
Oral Hygiene
Poor oral hygiene can cause your teeth to go yellow. This refers to not brushing twice a day, flossing, or using mouth wash.
If you aren’t brushing your teeth enough, or properly, then you aren’t getting rid of the bacteria that has accumulated on your teeth throughout the day.
Your brushing technique should ensure that you are cleaning all areas and surfaces of your teeth, which is also why flossing is important.
Consuming Certain Foods And Drinks
It seems as though drinking coffee is an endless catch-22 scenario, and your teeth are no exception to this.
Frequently drinking coffee is known to stain your teeth, leaving a yellow tinge.
The same goes for drinking lots of tea and consuming citrus fruits, and juices.
There are other products that are high in tannins that can cause staining to the teeth, such as red wine.
Others that cause this are soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, curry, berries, and tomato sauces.
Smoking And Tobacco
Smoking and using tobacco products are large contributors to yellow-stained teeth.
The tar and nicotine in the cigarettes are what causes this, and it is very likely for someone who has smoked a lot over the years to have very yellow and almost brown teeth.
This can happen relatively quickly after beginning to smoke.
Aging And Genetics
It is very normal for teeth to become more yellow as you age. Over the years, the tooth enamel can wear away, allowing the yellow dentin underneath to be seen.
This can also be due to genetics, as some may have a thicker tooth enamel than others.
Medication
Certain medications can also cause discolouration in the teeth. These include the antibiotics such as doxycycline and tetracycline, and they are known for discolouration in the teeth of children.
Certain cancer treatments can also cause yellow teeth, such as head and neck radiation, as well as taking medications to treat high blood pressure.
Types Of Tooth Stains
Yellow teeth are essentially tooth stains, but there There are two kinds of stains when it comes to teeth: extrinsic and intrinsic.
Extrinsic Stains
Extrinsic stains are easier to improve, as they are on the outer area of your teeth.
These kinds of stains are the ones most commonly caused by drinking certain beverages such as coffee, tea, and red wine, eating certain foods, and smoking.
You can prevent these stains by reducing your intake of these products and practising good oral hygiene.
Intrinsic Stains
Intrinsic stains are a lot harder to get rid of. These are stains that happen on the inside of the tooth and are often associated with teeth that are dying or have had root canal treatment previously.
These stains can also happen when there are small holes or cracks in the teeth. These cracks will then allow food, tobacco, and beverages to seep into the tooth, staining it from the inside.
They can also appear due to tooth decay, bleeding within the tooth, or even genetics.
Treating these stains can be tricky, as regular teeth whitening treatments may not last very long in these situations.
When it comes to intrinsic stains, the best solution is to see your dentist to discuss alternative cosmetic treatments have veneers.
These are thin coverings that are placed over the natural tooth, and they can last up to 15 years!
How To Treat Yellow Teeth
While yellow teeth can look unpleasant, there are certain ways you can improve their appearance if they are extrinsic stains.
You can begin by reducing as much of what has been mentioned in this article.
For example, reducing your coffee and tea consumption, as well as the other foods that cause yellow teeth such as tomato-based sauces and curries.
Completely quitting smoking is also another way you can improve the state of your teeth.
Ensuring you are brushing your teeth properly and twice a day can also help the appearance of your teeth.
You can also visit your dentist and seek further professional advice. have a tooth whitening treatment, or have veneers put in, but these can be pricey.
Natural Teeth Whitening Remedies
While you can undergo a teeth whitening treatment, or have veneers done, they can be expensive options as mentioned above.
If you’re dealing with extrinsic staining, there are a variety of natural remedies you can try at home!
Baking Soda And Hydrogen Peroxide
Using a toothpaste that contains baking soda and hydrogen peroxide has been shown to give teeth a whiter appearance! It works by reducing stains quite a fair bit.
Coconut Oil Swishing
While more research is needed on this method, swishing coconut oil around in the mouth is said to reduce plaque build-up on the teeth, which contributes to staining.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C deficiencies can lead to a build-up of bacteria on the teeth, leading to stains. Therefore, keeping topped up on your vitamin C intake could improve the state of your teeth.
Final Thoughts
To conclude, it is important to remember that white, flashy teeth are not natural.
Teeth are naturally off-white, but there are a number of things you can do to reduce staining, which is what causes the yellow tinge.
He has combined both of these skills to create his first company, Isopharm Limited, which became one of the top learning platforms within the dental industry.
With over 120,000 active users, he has been able to educate others in order to provide better dental care around the world.
With his expertise and work in the field, Andrew has been able to help many dental care professionals succeed in treating their patients.
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