Why Are My Teeth Yellow?

Brushing and flossing daily is part of basic hygiene; however, at times, people can have yellow teeth despite this routine. Therefore, one might ask why are my teeth yellow. In this article, we discuss what causes yellow teeth, types of discolouration, and dental tips on how to get rid of yellow teeth.

What Causes Yellow Teeth?

There can be several reasons why you are suffering from yellow or stained teeth:

Poor Dental Hygiene

If you brush twice a day and floss at least once daily, then you do not fall under the category of poor dental hygiene.

People who do not maintain a good oral routine rarely brush, floss, or use a mouthwash. If you have yellow teeth despite taking care of your teeth and gums, you should consider changing the type of toothbrush you use and determine if you are brushing and flossing the right way.

You can ask your dentist to guide you on the effective method of brushing and flossing. You can also consult them on what toothpaste and mouthwash work best.

Smoking & Use of Tobacco Products

Cigarettes have tar and nicotine in them, which can make your teeth yellow and stained in a short time. Those who have smoked for years complain about brown teeth.

Even if you brush and floss daily, tobacco will cause your teeth to look yellow. Meanwhile, you should not leave smoking or tobacco products for just getting whiter teeth. There are bigger reasons to quit such as to avoid the risk of developing cancer of the mouth, tongue, lips, and throat.

Teeth-staining Foods & Beverages

Foods containing significant amounts of tannins, such as red wine, can cause yellow teeth. Coffee, citrus fruits and juices, soft drinks, teas, berries, tomato-based sauces, curries, balsamic vinegar, and soy sauce are all teeth-staining foods.

These include ingredients that can seep into your enamel (the outermost layer of your teeth) and cause discolouration.

Medicines

Certain medicines and types of treatments can also cause yellow teeth. For example, prescription medications for high blood pressure and asthma can cause tooth discolouration.

Types of Discolouration

There are two types of discolouration in teeth:

Extrinsic Stains

Extrinsic stains are those that appear on the outside (surface) of your teeth. They are usually brought on by smoking and eating or drinking particular foods.

Maintaining good dental hygiene and minimising your consumption of teeth-staining foods can help prevent extrinsic stains. Teeth whitening treatments, such as ZOOM or bleach trays, can brighten a smile that has been stained by external factors.

Intrinsic Stains

Intrinsic stains occur within teeth and are more difficult to resolve. These are frequently encountered in teeth that are dying or have already received root canal therapy.

Small cracks can also produce intrinsic stains by allowing food, liquids, and nicotine to enter the tooth and discolour it from the inside out. Antibiotics, bleeding within the tooth, tooth rot, too much fluoride, or heredity reasons can all cause them.

Traditional teeth whitening procedures can help with intrinsic staining, but the benefits are not always long-lasting. Veneers are more beneficial to patients who have intrinsic tooth discolouration.

How to Get Rid of Yellow Teeth?

There are at-home dental tips that can help in minimising or removing stains from teeth. However, these are not as effective as professional dental whitening treatments. You should consult your dentist on what treatment will be ideal in your case. It is also possible that your dentist recommends dental bonding or veneers if more feasible.

If you want to know how to get rid of yellow teeth and dental tips to prevent discolouration of teeth, then visit Sue Vetter’s dental clinic in Seattle.

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