Keeping your teeth white isn’t always easy. Daily life can cause yellow teeth, especially when you factor in morning coffee, unhealthy habits (like smoking), normal wear and tear, and age. Before you jump to the conclusion that all hope is lost, remember there are things you can do to take back your confident, brighter smile. Keep reading to learn what causes tooth discoloration and how you can treat it.
The Culprits Behind Yellow Teeth
Want to know what is causing your teeth to appear yellow? You’re not alone. Fortunately, it’s no secret. There are several reasons why this can happen, including:
- Dark-Colored Foods & Beverages: Coffee, tea, soda, soy sauce, curry, and other foods and beverages can leave their mark on your teeth. Tannins and dark pigments attach to your tooth enamel, causing stains to form and stand out.
- Bad Habits: If you smoke or vape, it’s time to quit. The nicotine and tar in cigarettes, cigars, and vape juice are hard to remove once they absorb into your tooth enamel.
- Poor Oral Hygiene: If you let plaque and tartar build up on your teeth, don’t be surprised to see your pearly whites lose their vibrancy. Over time, they’ll appear yellow and cause you to become unhappy with how your smile looks.
- Age: Unfortunately, you can’t stop the aging process. Over time, your enamel thins, making the dentin layer more visible. Because it’s naturally more yellow than the outer layer of your teeth, it can make your smile look dull.
What Can You Do to Address Tooth Stains?
You don’t have to continue to be unhappy with your yellow teeth, especially when there are many different things you can do to fix the problem. For example:
- You can talk to your dentist about professional teeth whitening. High-grade bleaching agents target stains and can give you the confidence boost you need. Instead of hiding your smile, you’ll freely show it off because intrinsic and extrinsic stains are a thing of the past.
- You can make sure you’re practicing good oral hygiene by brushing your teeth twice a day for two minutes, flossing at least once a day, and rinsing to remove any remaining plaque and food debris to keep your smile healthy and fresh.
- You can kick bad habits for good by asking about different resources to stop smoking.
- You can rinse your mouth with water after eating or drinking anything that is darkly colored. You can also limit how much of these foods and beverages you consume.
You may not be able to avoid all causes of yellow teeth, but healthy habits and your dentist can help your smile look its best going forward. Don’t hesitate to call your dental team if you need help addressing stains and discoloration.
About the Author
Dr. Travis Rottman has practiced dentistry since 2011. He earned his dental degree at the Texas A&M Baylor College of Dentistry and is trained in a wide range of dental care, providing his patients with the best treatment and service in the area. If you are unhappy with your smile’s appearance and want to address discolored teeth, visit our website or call (972) 848–0073 to schedule a consultation.