WHY DO TEETH YELLOW & WHAT CAN YOU DO ABOUT IT?

Have you ever gone into your bathroom and noticed the color of your teeth? Are they yellower than you’d like them to be? If you answered yes, you’re not alone. Many of us go through the same thing. One good thing about teeth yellowing is it doesn’t indicate a serious medical problem. However, none of us wants yellow teeth to hinder our appearance, so we try our hardest to get them as white as possible.

Today, we want to share with you the most common causes of teeth yellowing, and things you can try to brighten your smile up.

Why Do My Teeth Yellow?

There are several factors that play into it. Some are obvious such as smoking, but others are out of your control. Let’s get started.

Aging. Until we can control time, we must accept the fact that aging causes natural discoloration of our teeth. As we age, our teeth’s enamel starts to wear down, exposing the layer of dentin underneath. Dentine is a deep, yellowish brownish material that encompasses the pulp of a tooth. This process is natural, but irremediable. Genetics and family history can also contribute to teeth yellowing down the road.

Poor Dieting. We’re not just talking about candy and sugary foods. Sauces, curries, even coffee are well known for staining teeth if consumed regularly. That’s because these items contain tannins, which are stick on the surface of our teeth, sullying the protective enamel layer. Luckily, most of the time they only stain teeth, and we’ll soon cover key things to undo the damage.

Smoking. If you didn’t know already, smoking is bad for your overall health, not just for your teeth. A byproduct of smoking is tar, which is really damaging to your oral health. It’s one of the leading causes of gum disease, tooth loss and even oral cancer. Cigarettes aren’t the only culprit; tobacco chew is as well. You can tell a person is a smoker if they have ugly brownish/yellowish teeth and have lingering bad breath.

Teeth Grinding. Also know as bruxism, teeth grinding is a subconscious method of stress relief for many individuals. It’s not obvious for most though as it occurs even when sleeping. This habit can dull the surface of teeth and weaken the layer of enamel protecting them. An effective method to prevent this is to wear a mouthguard at night and even during the day if you find yourself clenching your teeth.

Certain Diseases & Medications. There is research that points to a couple diseases that negatively affects the enamel and dentin that makes up much of a tooth. Chemotherapy can cause teeth discoloration due to the body reacting to the treatment. Antibiotic medications that consist of tetracycline and doxycycline can cause teeth stains. Mouthwashes that contain ingredients such as chlorhexidine and cetylpyridinium chloride may kill bacteria in the mouth but can also erode enamel and cause tooth discoloration.

What Can I Do About Teeth Yellowing?

Since no one wants to be the one in a picture with yellow teeth, we want to try everything we can to get our teeth as white as possible. From us to you, these are some of the best remedies we know work to prevent teeth yellowing over time.

Brush and Floss Your Teeth. This one is obvious. Brushing eliminates any plaque that builds up on the surface of your teeth throughout the day and prevents tartar from forming. Flossing is just as important, as it cleans out food particles hiding in the crevices of your teeth, removing a key source of food for bacteria in your mouth. Brush twice a day for two minutes and be sure to gently scrub every tooth and not favor one side over the other. Don’t forget to schedule your regular visit to Dental Care of Riverside so we can help you keep your oral hygiene in check. On top of that, we can identify any oral health problems you may have so you can address it before it turns complex.

Whitening Toothpaste and Strips. Whitening toothpastes are available aplenty. These toothpastes use stronger ingredients compared to conventional toothpastes (including hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide) that combat stubborn teeth stains. Charcoal and baking sodas are less conventional, but often used ingredients to lift the stains off teeth and give your teeth a whiter shine. Whitening strips are not a miracle solution, but they do work wonders. It starts by layering your teeth with peroxide gel using a plastic strip that lifts plaque and stains off your teeth. The results are swift and is visible within a few days. For most people, whitening strips will lighten the color of their teeth by a couple of shades.

Less Sugar, More Calcium. The best and longest solution to whiter teeth is to cut out as much sugary foods and drinks as you can out of your diet. This includes high-carb foods, which break down into simple sugars that bacteria in your mouth feasts on. Citric juices and acidic sodas can eat away at your enamel and cause rapid tooth decay. On the other hand, take in more calcium, whether it be dairy or supplements. That’s because calcium strengthens your enamel and protects gum lining. Milk, cheese and broccoli are rich in calcium.

In Summary

Teeth yellowing is natural, but you do have some control over how fast it happens to you. Avoid poor dieting, smoking and protect yourself from subconscious teeth grinding. Pick up your toothbrush and floss everyday and do what’s right for your teeth. Lastly, visit your dentist so they can give you personal advice as to how you can have whiter teeth.

Have questions? Want to learn more? Call Dental Care of Riverside today or get in touch with us online!