Non-White or Yellow Teeth are Unhealthy Teeth whitening treatments usually work by stripping or entering the outer enamel layer, which makes teeth weaker if done many times. So, more often than not, yellow teeth are actually stronger than pearly white ones–so long as they're cleaned regularly.
In spite of our obsession with whiter teeth, most healthy teeth tend to have a light yellow hue. The outer layer of your teeth – the enamel – is a blue-white color. The middle layer – the dentin – is a thick tissue with a slightly yellow tinge.
Bad oral hygiene, tobacco products, certain medications, certain foods and beverages, and the aging process can all cause discoloration or yellowing of teeth. If the yellow color is coming from plaque or tartar buildup, then it goes without saying that your teeth are not in great condition.
Yellow teeth are stronger than bright white teeth.
A light-yellow color indicates a strong healthy smile. The natural color of your dentin, the layer of tiny tubules that lies beneath your enamel and connects to the dental nerve in each tooth, is yellow.
Natural Enamel Thickness & Translucency
Enamel is on the surface of every tooth and it has a natural hue of white. However, the underlying dentin layer has a slightly yellowish color. This yellowish hue shows through the enamel in almost everyone, but more so for those with naturally thinner or more translucent enamel.
All in all, yellow teeth don't necessarily equal unhealthy or weakened teeth. It may just be the natural color of your dentin shining through.
Their Permanent Teeth Are Starting to Come in
If your child is about 6-7 years old and their permanent teeth have started to erupt, you may notice that their permanent teeth look quite a bit more yellow than their baby teeth.
What Can Be Done to Whiten Yellow Teeth? If you're looking for a radical change in the coloring of your teeth, you need professional-grade whitening to get the job done. Your cosmetic dentist can provide treatment that penetrates deep into the enamel and removes years of stains with a powerful bleaching agent.
Consuming Certain Foods and Drinks
Other teeth-staining foods include coffee, citrus fruits and juices, soft drinks, teas, berries, tomato-based sauces, curry, balsamic vinegar, and soy sauce. Ingredients in these foods can seep into your enamel (the outermost covering of your teeth) and cause discoloration.
Most of the extrinsic discoloration is reversible especially by reversing the cause of yellowing. It also depends upon the duration of discolorations. Some of the discolorations are too old and stubborn and need special teeth whitening techniques to cure.
Yellow or discolored teeth can be unattractive causing teeth to look prematurely aged, or dirty. Patients with discolored teeth may feel embarrassed of their smile and hide their smile in photos or while laughing. White, bright smiles can help patients feel more confident in professional and personal interactions.
Tooth Brushing Isn't Meant to Whiten Teeth
Brushing twice a day (or more if recommended by a dentist) is essential, as it removes plaque and prevents cavities. The bristle action of a toothbrush won't whiten teeth, though, and even whitening toothpastes can only have a limited effect on the surface of teeth.
Brushing your teeth is meant to remove harmful bacteria and plaque but not to whiten them. As recommended by your dentist, brushing twice a day is vital because it prevents cavities and tooth decay. Brushing alone will not whiten your teeth, though, and even whitening toothpaste only has a minimal effect on your teeth.
You know teeth can turn yellow from staining due to coffee, tea, and tobacco, but may be unaware of all of the other causes of tooth discoloration. Sometimes the color is temporary, while other times there is a chemical change in the composition of teeth that causes permanent discoloration.
As the present study has shown that mouth rinses (Listerine and Chlorhexidine) were “at least as good as” dental floss in antigingival efficacy, they can be recommended for the patients with gingivitis as an adjunctive to usual home care routine.
If your child's enamel is thinner or weaker than normal, their teeth may look yellow. This is because enamel is whitish in color, while the layer of dentin underneath the enamel looks much more 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.
That yellow color might be dental plaque. Yellowing of teeth near the gum line might also be an early sign that you are at risk for tooth decay, gum disease, and other oral health problems.
Glide a finger along the gums, they should be firm and pain-free. Red, white or swollen gums are immediate red flags. In addition, your tongue should also be pink and firm. Every time you brush your teeth, remember to also brush your tongue and remove any plaque that may appear as a white film on the tongue.
As the enamel erodes and more dentin is exposed, the teeth may appear yellow. Cracks and chips. The edges of teeth become more rough, irregular, and jagged as enamel erodes. Smooth, shiny surfaces on the teeth, a sign of mineral loss.
Calcium, specifically, is essential for strong, healthy teeth because it helps remineralize enamel. Incorporating a healthy number of dairy products, leafy greens, and nuts into your diet could help with strengthening of tooth enamel, and in turn with whiter teeth.
The reality is that not brushing your teeth before bed is bad news. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends brushing your beautiful smile twice a day. Skip a session, and you're on your way to encouraging the growth of bacterial buildup in the form of plaque, which can lead to cavities and even gum disease.
Over time, teeth will yellow as proteins lodge themselves in your enamel and change the way the light moves through the crystals. This is a natural process and even those who are dedicated to thorough brushing will experience yellowing teeth over time and with age.