What Causes Teeth to Become Yellow?

Over time, teeth naturally begin to turn a yellowish shade due to a variety of natural causes.

Some factors stain only the outside of the teeth, known as the enamel, which is easier to reverse the effects. According to Live Science, more serious damage occurs intrinsically, or inside the tooth, and is harder, yet not impossible, to reverse.

Individuals with thin enamel will experience teeth yellowing more frequently than individuals with thick enamel. Because enamel is semi-translucent, the thinner the enamel the more the natural yellowish tint of the dentin will show. As people age, the thickness of the enamel also decreases, causing this natural yellowing to occur. This type of teeth yellowing cannot be avoided but can be treated by professional teeth whitening dentists.

What you eat and drink also has a profound effect on the whiteness of teeth. Drinks such as soda, coffee, and wine will naturally stain the enamel of teeth due to their harsh chemical compositions.

Drinks with a lot of artificial flavoring can also cause stains on the enamel of the tooth. Foods with strong pigments, such as tomatoes, berries, and curry spices can also cling to the tooth enamel and stain the tooth.

To avoid this food and drink stains on your teeth, be sure to brush, floss, and rinse properly three times a day (once after every meal). Dr. Fields at Carolina Aesthetic and Restorative Dentistry also emphasizes the importance of having regular professional teeth cleanings in order to keep teeth healthy and remove plaque and bacteria.

Regular dental cleanings will help to ensure that your teeth are staying clean and that food and drinks are not causing more serious damage internally to your teeth.

Smoking also causes stains on teeth. Even chewing tobacco causes the teeth to yellow quicker and with a deeper yellow color.

Not only do smoking and tobacco cause stains to form on teeth, but they can also affect the internal structure of the teeth and gums, causing disfigurement, rotting, and gum problems. These types of issues with the teeth are typically not treated “at home”, and need to be taken up with a professional dentist.

Although teeth yellowing can occur due to a variety of factors, with new advancements in the dentistry industry there are more ways than ever to make teeth whiter, straighter, and overall more beautiful. Porcelain veneers can help restore the appearance of teeth to look whiter and more perfectly shaped and aligned.

These veneers are very thin, custom-made shells of tooth-colored materials designed to cover the front of teeth naturally and improve their appearance. Porcelain crowns also work in a similar way by covering the tops of teeth to improve how they look. The field of cosmetic dentistry offers a variety of solutions for individuals searching for enhancing their smile.

In order to prevent teeth from staining, it is extremely important to properly clean the teeth every day and to regularly visit a dentist every six months to check for more severe conditions.

Nothing can completely stop your teeth from losing their white shine, but the hope in restoring your smile!