Do you have yellow teeth?
Ever wondered why they look yellow?
How can you make them look whiter?
Before we start, we want to clear one thing:
Yellow teeth are a common thing and it don’t always mean a dental problem. You can try solutions to whiten it if you are not happy with its appearance.
But we do suggest you visit a dentist to get it checked if it has some underlying cause which should be treated.
Now, let us share the causes of yellow teeth and also the solutions that can give you a bright-white smile!
THERE ARE 3 MAIN CAUSES OF YELLOW TEETH:
Cause #1: THINNING OF ENAMEL
One of the main causes of yellow teeth is the thinning of the enamel, the hard, white outer layer of your teeth that protects them from decay and sensitivity.
When the enamel thins, it exposes the dentin, which is the yellowish layer underneath that gives your teeth their shape and strength.
Enamel can wear away over time due to aging, acidic foods and drinks, brushing too hard, or grinding your teeth.
Cause #2: STAINING
Another cause of yellow teeth is staining from external factors, such as smoking, coffee, tea, wine, berries, tomatoes, curry, and other foods and drinks that contain pigments that can stick to your enamel and dis colour it.
One of the main causes of yellow teeth through staining is plaque and tartar build up. Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that forms on your teeth every day. If you don’t brush and floss regularly, plaque can harden into tartar, which is a yellowish substance that stains your teeth.
Cause #3: INTERNAL FACTORS
The third cause of yellow teeth is staining from internal factors, such as genetics, medications, or trauma.
Some people are born with naturally yellow or darker teeth due to their genes or the amount of fluoride they were exposed to as children.
Some medication scan also stain your teeth if you take them while your teeth are developing.
Trauma to your teeth, such as a fall or a blow, can also cause them to turn yellow or grey due to damage to the pulp or nerve inside your tooth.
Now, let’s explore the solutions to turn YELLOW TEETH into MIGHTY WHITE!
The best way to prevent yellow teeth is to take good care of your oral hygiene and avoid habits that can stain your teeth.
- Brush your teeth twice a day but with soft-bristle toothbrush that can scrub away stains
- Floss daily to remove plaque and bacteria that can cause decay and discoloration
- Rinse your mouth with water after eating or drinking anything that can stain your teeth, such as coffee, tea, wine, or berries.
- Quit smoking or reduce your intake of nicotine products, as they can harm not only your teeth but also your gums and overall health.
- Visit your dentist regularly for check-ups and cleanings to remove any tartar or stains that may have built up on your teeth.
The solutions for internal staining are more limited and may require professional treatment by a dentist.
Depending on the severity of the staining, your dentist may recommend various solutions or treatment.
PROFESSIONAL SOLUTION #1: Teeth whitening treatment
One option that your dentist might suggest is a professional teeth whitening treatment. This involves applying a bleaching agent to your teeth and activating it with a special light or heat. This can make your teeth several shades lighter in one session.
However, this option may cause sensitivity or irritation to your gums.
Our dental clinic, Friendly Hills Family Dentistry, is known for Teeth Whitening treatment. We use teeth-whitening gel to give you bright white teeth which doesn’t affect your gums and teeth.
PROFESSIONAL SOLUTION #2: Veneers or Crowns
Another option is to cover your stained teeth with veneers or crowns. These are thin shells or caps made of porcelain or composite resin that are bonded to your teeth to improve their appearance.
Veneers and crowns can give you a natural-looking smile, but they are more expensive and invasive than bleaching.
We do provide this treatment and our patients have been very happy with our treatment.
To summarise,
There are 3 main causes of yellow teeth: Thinning of enamel, Staining and Internal factors
To solve preventable yellow teeth: Brush, floss, rinse, avoid tobacco products and visit dentist regularly
For internal reason, you may visit dentist to identify reasons and they may suggest plausible solutions like teeth-whitening gel, bleaching or veneers or crowns.
Hope you found this blog useful. #KeepSmiling
