Your teeth are known as your ‘pearly whites,’ not your sunny yellows. So naturally, if they become discolored, you may be embarrassed or insecure about showing them off. But what could be causing this change in hue? Here’s a closer look at some common reasons why your teeth may be looking a little dingy, and how you can get them looking whiter and brighter with the help of professional whitening from your dentist!
What Causes Yellow Teeth?
If you ate a diet that was heavy in things like turmeric, mustard, and American cheese, you probably wouldn’t wonder too much about why your teeth were turning yellow. But believe it or not, that golden hue that develops over time isn’t caused by consuming yellow foods and beverages. It’s typically caused by a buildup of tartar, which is naturally yellow.
Furthermore, the second layer of the teeth, the dentin, is also yellow toned. As you age, the first layer, the enamel, wears away, sometimes revealing the dentin and making the teeth appear yellow, too. Here are a few other reasons you may be noticing this shade in your smile:
- Food: Sometimes, highly pigmented foods such as tomatoes and berries may leave behind trace amounts of color; however, carbohydrates and sweets can increase oral bacteria, encouraging the buildup of yellow tinted tartar.
- Beverages: Coffee, red wine, and cola are notorious for leaving behind stains on the teeth that can often appear yellow or even brown.
- Tobacco: Whether you smoke, chew, or vape, tobacco can leave behind brown or yellow stains on the teeth that are nearly impossible to remove by brushing alone.
- Genetics: Certain genetic conditions and enamel disorders could cause the teeth to appear yellow.
- Medication: Medications like doxycycline and tetracycline may cause permanent tooth stains in children under the age of eight, and some adults may experience stains from certain high blood pressure and antipsychotic medications.
- Aging: Exposed dentin may cause the teeth to appear discolored.
- Injury: Injuries could cause an adult tooth to turn gray or black, or a baby tooth to turn brown or yellow.
- Treatment: Patients undergoing chemotherapy may experience discoloration, although it is typically brown.
- Too Much Fluoride: Although this is extremely rare, overconsumption of fluoride during childhood can cause brown discoloration. In fact, the benefits of this mineral were first discovered when children with incredibly healthy, brown-stained teeth begin arriving at the dentist!
How To Remove Yellow Stains
If your teeth suffer from yellow discoloration, your dentist has a treatment that can help. Your first step, however, is if it’s been a while, to schedule your regular, preventive oral health exam and cleaning. This can help remove some of the tartar accumulated on your teeth that could cause them to look dull.
Once you’ve gotten a clean bill of health, if you still need help brightening your smile, professional whitening treatment from your dentist can help. In fact, in-office treatment can remove up to eight shades of discoloration in about one hour, while a professional take-home kit from your dentist can get the same results in about two weeks!
Remember, although there are many things that can cause yellow teeth, professional whitening from your dentist can help remove stains and discoloration that could make your smile look dingy and dull. To learn more about this treatment and to see if you qualify, schedule a consultation with your dentist today.
About Dr. Balington
Dr. Todd Balington earned his bachelor’s degree at the University of Florida and his dental degree at Nova Southeastern University College of Dental Medicine. He then relocated to the DFW area in 2009 and has been proudly helping patients in Denton ever since. To get a whiter, brighter smile at Denton Dental Center, visit our website or call 940-383-3300 to schedule a consultation.