Yellowing teeth isn’t the most serious dental health issue that people face, but it is one of the most annoying. Having yellow teeth can make you feel self-conscious and incentivize you not to show your smile.
In this post, we take a look at some of the reasons why your teeth are turning yellow and what you can do about it. Here’s a rundown:
The Dentin Is Showing Through
Tooth enamel is white, but the dentin underneath it – the core of the teeth – is yellow. Dentin can show through for all sorts of reasons. Sometimes, it’s genetic; you just happen to have thin enamel or deep yellow dentin. Other times, it’s to do with lifestyle factors, such as eating high-acid foods or brushing your teeth too hard for many years.
The good news, according to the dental professional, Dr. Allyson Mulder, is that you can correct the issue with veneers. Here, dentists place thin pieces of porcelain over the front of your teeth to improve their appearance.
You’ve Been Smoking
People who smoke also tend to have yellow teeth, regardless of their genetics. Smoke contains micro-particles that stick to teeth, changing their color over time.
The best way to deal with this issue? Kick the habit and go for teeth whitening. 90 percent of the time, bleaching the teeth can reverse the damage and make them look normal again.
You’ve Been Eating The Wrong Foods
Eating the wrong foods is another reason why teeth turn yellow over time. Certain plants contain pigments that stick to the teeth, causing them to discolor. Prime culprits include berries, curry spices, and tomatoes.
All these foods are incredibly healthy, so you should keep eating them. To reverse the yellowing, go to your dentist for a descaling. Discoloration from foods is almost always superficial and easy to remove.
You’ve Been Drinking Coffees And Sodas
Both coffee and sodas contain colorings that can stick to your teeth if you’re not careful. Pigments cause yellowing and then, in extreme cases, browning of the tooth enamel.
If you’ve been drinking coffees and sodas, you might want to cut back. Avoid any drinks with artificial colorings since these often create additional health problems (such as damaging your gut flora).
You Have Fluorosis
Toothpaste contains the active ingredient, fluoride. This chemical is important because it hardens enamel, preventing mouth bacteria from breaking it down, leading to cavities.
Unfortunately, too much fluoride is a bad thing and can cause teeth to develop brownish and yellowish spots, particularly in children. Therefore, if you are the victim of fluorosis, it is probably something that developed in childhood. Those with brown or yellow spots on their teeth should speak to their dentists.
You Grind Your Teeth
Lastly, your teeth may look yellower than normal if you are in the habit of grinding them while you sleep. Grinding, also called bruxism, is harmful to tooth enamel and weakens it to the point of cracking and yellowing. To prevent damage, reduce stress and wear a mouthguard at night to stop teeth from coming into contact with each other.
