Over time, due to factors like age, wear and tear, or enamel erosion from acidic foods and beverages, the dentin beneath the enamel may become more visible, leading to teeth appearing yellow.
Thankfully, yellow teeth aren't forever. Not only can your teeth be whitened, but you can also adopt habits that keep them looking good. Use this blog to learn about why teeth become yellow, how you can fix them, and what you can do to prevent future discoloration.
Some include poor oral hygiene, certain foods and drinks, smoking tobacco products, and aging. Additionally, certain medications such as antibiotics can cause yellow and stained teeth. Genetics can also influence tooth discoloration, causing some people to naturally have yellow or gray teeth.
Ageing, genetics and health
It's also entirely possible that, as you age, your enamel will slowly wear away and leave you with yellow teeth, even if you've kept up a healthy brushing regime.
DrBicuspid (2/11) reported that in a “survey of 4,906 people” conducted by DentaVox, “80% of respondents said yellow teeth are less attractive than white teeth.” In addition, “38% of respondents described their teeth as yellow, and of this group, 33% cited poor oral health as the main cause, DentaVox found.”
Does tooth enamel grow back? No, if your enamel is completely gone, you can't bring it back. But your dentist can place a dental crown over your tooth to protect it from further damage.
A deficiency in Vitamin A can lead to dry mouth, which can cause a buildup of bacteria and plaque, leading to yellowing of teeth.
Regular ingestion of berries, coffee, red wine, and cola can all cause teeth staining. Sometimes, even prescription medications and fluoride can cause staining. Even if you brush your teeth daily, your teeth will likely stain over time if you regularly consume dark-colored substances.
If the tooth is dead, it will often get darker in color, and a person may notice a yellow, gray, or black discoloration. A change in color usually occurs because the red blood cells are dying. This is a very similar effect to bruising.
Permanent teeth contain more dentin than baby teeth. Since dentin has a natural yellow appearance, your child's teeth may look yellow and unmatched if several of their permanent teeth come in at different times. The good news is that this is an entirely normal occurrence.
Some of the features that turn off potential soul mates include bad breath (number one culprit), yellowing or stained teeth, crooked teeth, and missing teeth. To put it in perspective, think about how you feel about your own set of teeth – Are they white enough?
If your teeth are still looking yellow despite brushing them every day, there may be several reasons why this is happening. You may be brushing your teeth ineffectively, frequently having foods and drinks that stain your teeth, or experiencing changes to your enamel.
They usually start very small and can be hard to see without a dentist's help. At first, a cavity might look like a tiny white spot on your tooth. As it gets worse, it can turn brown or black.
Many people assume it's a safer option for their health, but what about oral health? The reality is that vaping can still have negative effects on your teeth and overall oral health. Some vape liquids contain high levels of nicotine, which can cause your teeth to yellow or stain over time.
Management and Treatment
Topical fluoride is the most common treatment for early-stage enamel erosion. Fluoride helps strengthen your enamel and stop erosion from getting worse. It can't reverse tooth erosion, though. (You can't regrow enamel once it's gone.)
Brush off the stains with Baking Soda
It is an inexpensive and easy home remedy for teeth whitening. To use this home remedy: Add a few drops of water to baking soda until you form a paste. Apply the mixture to the toothbrush bristles and brush as usual for about two minutes.
Some People Are More Prone to Cavities Than Others
While you may brush your teeth twice a day and floss regularly, some people are more genetically predisposed to the kind of bacteria that causes cavities in the mouth. If your family is predisposed to cavities, make sure you take extra care to brush and floss!
Some health conditions cause teeth discoloration, including liver disease, celiac disease, calcium deficiency, eating disorders and metabolic diseases. Certain medications. Some medications, like certain antihistamines and drugs for high blood pressure, can result in teeth discoloration.
One of the most important vitamins for teeth whitening and overall health is Vitamin D3. This vitamin will help to remineralize your teeth and works best when taken with calcium. Considering about half the population in the USA is deficient in Vitamin D, it may be the reason so many teeth are not white.
Smooth Tongue
Tiny bumps on your tongue called papillae start to waste away. That makes it look and feel kind of smooth and glossy. Infections, medication, and other conditions can cause it, too. But if not enough B12 or other nutrients is to blame, your tongue also may be sore.
They usually look frail, darker in color (because of the exposed yellow dentin behind your enamel), and might even start to show signs of chipping or cracks. You can usually tell your teeth are getting thinner because the enamel seems smoother than normal.
The first sign of tooth decay is a white spot on the teeth, which means it has begun to demineralize. At this point, the weakening can be reversed or helped with remineralization. But once a hole, or cavity, begins to form, the enamel has been permanently damaged and it's too late to naturally reverse the effects.