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.
Consuming Certain Foods and Drinks
“Certain foods that are high in tannins, such as red wine, are potential causes of yellow teeth,” notes Crest. Other teeth-staining foods include coffee, citrus fruits and juices, soft drinks, teas, berries, tomato-based sauces, curry, balsamic vinegar, and soy sauce.
Can my teeth become white again after turning yellow? Yes, there are a number of ways that you can help whiten teeth again after they have yellowed, from changing toothpaste and mouthwash to dental hygiene appointments.
While a yellow hue near the gum line can be an early sign of tooth decay, gum disease, and other dental problems—it is usually an indication of dental plaque or tartar. Dental plaque develops due to bacteria in the mouth combined with food byproducts and proteins.
This is because the enamel, the protective layer outside your teeth, is white, but can be thinner for some people and even translucent. The layer directly under the enamel is light yellow. Therefore, it is perfectly natural to have a light yellow color on your teeth, and it is not caused by poor oral health.
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.
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.
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.
Brushing your teeth diligently helps remove harmful plaque and bacteria from your teeth but isn't effective whiten them.
Even with daily brushing, certain foods and drinks can cause stained teeth. For example, frequently drinking coffee, tea and wine can all lead to yellow teeth. In addition, even regular brushing cannot always combat yellow teeth caused by smoking cigarettes.
#3 Brushing Isn't Designed to Whiten 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.
For about two to six weeks, you can use dentist-recommended whitening toothpaste and brush twice a day. You can use a certified whitening mouthwash which usually takes about three months to produce visible results. Whitening strips are the most compelling in-house treatments that last up to six months.
If your teeth have biofilm or plaque buildup, this can prevent the bleaching agent from reaching the target stains. Before considering any teeth whitening treatment, it is a good idea to schedule an appointment for a dental cleaning. These cleanings remove all signs of biofilm and plaque on the surface of your teeth.
1. 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. Good news: this is normal.
Healthy teeth are white or slightly off-white in color, with smooth surfaces and well-defined edges. They should also be free of chips, cracks, and visible cavities. The gum tissue surrounding the teeth should be pink and firm, with no signs of inflammation or bleeding.
Even though the choice is ultimately up to you, a good rule of thumb to follow is to make sure your teeth aren't any whiter than the whites of your eyes for the most natural appearance. Over-whitening your teeth is a very real possibility that comes with very real consequences.
Whether your teeth are already exhibiting a yellowish-tinge or suffering from extreme sensitivity to hot or cold food and beverages, it's never too late for you to improve your personal dental care routine. Imagine this: your smile is the first thing people notice when they meet you.
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.
Brush for at least two minutes twice daily and make sure your toothbrush gets into all the crevices and cracks. To protect your gums, brush in a circular motion- on the inside, outside and teeth chewing surfaces. A 2018 study revealed that using whitening toothpaste can whiten your teeth.
Having yellow teeth can be embarrassing, but doesn't necessarily mean that your teeth are unclean or unhealthy. Rather than worrying about your dental cleaning routine, you should instead focus on the products that you eat, drink and smoke.
Your smile is like your calling card to the world. If you feel self-conscious about your smile, you might hide it from people. Yellow or stained teeth are among the most common reasons to feel self-conscious or embarrassed about your smile. The good news is that yellow or stained teeth are very fixable problems.
Yellow teeth indicate plaque buildup, poor dental hygiene, or something more serious like gingivitis or oral cancer. It's important to keep track of how healthy your teeth are because it reflects on your general health.
The data indicates Denmark has the best oral health of all the countries in the entire world.
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.
In our modern day of internet dating and blind date setups, first impressions can be a big, big deal. That said, few people include “canary yellow teeth” on their list of turn-ons. In fact, both men and women commonly find yellow teeth a turn-off at best and a deal breaker at worst.