Why Do Teeth Yellow? Five Reasons Behind Tooth Discolouration
DentistryWhen a person smiles, the first thing that anyone will notice is the colour of their teeth. While tooth discolouration is common for every person, it can make some people feel more self-conscious. If you’re one of them, it shouldn’t be surprising to hear you ponder the reasons why do teeth yellow or become discoloured.
There are several other reasons that can turn your teeth yellow. This article will discuss all you need to know about tooth discolouration and your options for teeth whitening.
Why Do Teeth Yellow?
Tooth discolouration can happen gradually. As we get older, the outer layers of our teeth enamel wear away. Over time, the inner layer of our teeth begins to show. This layer is what we call dentin. The dentin is naturally yellow in appearance, which makes our teeth turn yellow.
Aside from the natural discolouration and maturity, there are other reasons why our teeth can turn yellow. These include a wide array of factors from intrinsic to extrinsic influences.
1. Genetics
Studies have shown positive indications that genetic factors contribute to tooth discolouration. Individuals that come from a family who start to lay down more dentin at an early age will experience the same in the upcoming years. If you want to maintain the translucent effect of your teeth, you can use teeth whitening products as early as possible to help slow down enamel erosion.
2. Diet
A faulty diet can leave teeth stains which directly affects its shade and appearance. Food that contains sauces and dark colours is a significant contributor to tooth discolouration. Aside from food, excessive intake of beverages that contain chemicals is also to blame. Tannin, a common residue found in soda and other fizzy drinks are famous for their blemishing properties. It tends to stick on tooth enamel causes teeth to turn yellow.
3. Smoking
Perhaps one of the most prevalent causes of tooth discolouration is smoking. Nicotine and tar that comes from cigarettes are damaging to a person’s oral hygiene. Aside from making your teeth turn yellow, it could also lead to severe health concerns such as mouth cancer and gum diseases.
Chewing tobacco is no better than smoking either. Heavy nicotine and tobacco use will result in teeth stains, bad breath, and tooth decay. To resolve these concerns, perhaps the best treatment is to quit smoking.
4. Teeth Grinding
Daytime and nighttime teeth grinding are concerns that could lead to oral problems. Aside from stress and anxiety, some people develop this habit for unknown reasons. Also known as bruxism, this condition can significantly affect and damage your teeth enamel, making your teeth turn yellow.
5. Disease Medications
Some specific disease medications can directly affect tooth enamel and dentin. For cancer patients, undergoing radiation and chemotherapy will increase the chances of developing teeth stains. This risk is due to the increase of chemical reactions that occur in the body. Additionally, there are antibiotic treatments that can make teeth have a yellowish appearance. These include doxycycline and tetracycline.
Do I Need to Whiten My Teeth?
Luckily, yellow teeth are more of aesthetic concern and do not pose harm to its function. However, just because it is not something that would affect your oral health doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do anything about it.
Teeth whitening can help prevent the disheartening effects of a dull smile. If you want to bring back your youthful glow and pearly whites, there are several teeth whitening options that you can do.
Who Can Whiten Their Teeth?
Teeth whitening works for everyone. However, there are some necessary precautions that you should consider if you happen to undergo dental treatments in the past. Dental veneers, crowns, and other dental applications require professional care during the whitening process.
The bleaching procedure makes use of chemicals and other ingredients that may infiltrate the existing dental treatment. Your dentist must take out these materials first to prevent risking your oral health.
At-Home Teeth Whitening Options
With constant effort, you can successfully prevent teeth stains and get rid of the yellowish shade on your teeth. Here are some at-home remedies that can help you improve your smile:
Oral Hygiene
As most people do, religiously brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing once before bedtime can prevent oral problems altogether. Poor dental habits can result in plaque build-up and tooth discolouration. Aside from following a routine, there are several kinds of teeth whitening toothpaste that contain ingredients that will help get rid of yellow teeth stains.
Mouthwash
A dental mouthwash made for teeth whitening contains chemicals that have bleaching properties. These ingredients are generally more potent than conventional mouthwashes and help remove stubborn teeth stains. Hydrogen peroxide is a common chemical that aids in lightening the teeth and inhibits discolouration.
Food Intake
You can lighten the shade of your teeth by limiting your intake of sugary foods and has high levels of carbohydrates. Controlling your diet is a discipline that provides a long-term solution that benefits your overall health. It is also wise to avoid excessive consumption of beverages with high acidity. It is best to do some research to know more about which food and drinks can wear down tooth enamel.
Herbal Extracts
Nature is a gift that we often tend to take for granted. Among the countless use of herbal remedies is its teeth whitening wonders. Some herbal extracts contain natural whitening properties that will help make your smile whiter.
A popular herbal remedy is known as oil-pulling. It makes use of coconut oils and can transform your teeth into a whiter and brighter appearance. While this method is considered safe and effective, it would be better to consult your dentist before doing it.
In-Surgery Teeth Whitening Options
If you happen to find at-home remedies to be a tedious process, you can opt for in-surgery teeth whitening options:
- Traditional Bleaching
Many dental clinics provide in-office tooth whitening treatments for patients who want faster results. It involves the use of bleaching solutions that are much stronger than those in over-the-counter whitening kits. The whitening process can be a step-by-step procedure to allow gradual lightening in separate dental appointments.
If you want to produce dramatic results, a one-hour dental treatment can improve your teeth colour from three to eight shades lighter than the previous tone. Moreover, some dentists can also offer two-hour sessions in a single appointment for a more thorough whitening.
- Laser Teeth Whitening
During this procedure, your dentist will also use a bleaching agent but with and additional help of an activation lamp to speed up the whitening process. Laser generators are also present for more in-depth control.
The laser whitening treatment usually takes at least an hour. After the procedure, you can see visible results right away. Your dentist in Castle Hill, NSW will also provide additional solutions and materials that you can use if you want to whiten your teeth further.
Final Thoughts
Now that you are aware of why teeth turn yellow, whether to do something about it will depend on your decision. If you think the colour of your teeth does not bother you, then you should be fine without teeth whitening.
However, if you aspire to gain confidence and enhance your appeal, there are various teeth whitening remedies that you can choose from. To ensure that you select the best option, do not hesitate to talk to your dentist before your treatment. You can talk to the dentists from BDC Chatswood if you want to restore your healthy smile at an affordable price.
References:
https://www.dentalhealth.org/dental-erosion
https://www.dentalhealth.org/smoking-and-oral-health
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/10953-plaque
http://www.newmouth.com/blog/laser-teeth-whitening/
Archives
- November 2024
- October 2024
- September 2024
- July 2024
- May 2024
- April 2024
- March 2024
- January 2024
- December 2023
- November 2023
- October 2023
- September 2023
- August 2023
- May 2023
- March 2023
- July 2022
- October 2021
- July 2021
- May 2021
- April 2021
- March 2021
- February 2021
- January 2019
- December 2018
- November 2018
- October 2018
- September 2018
- July 2018
- May 2018
- April 2018
- February 2018
- January 2018
- November 2017
- October 2017
- September 2017
- August 2017
- June 2017
- May 2017
Calendar
M | T | W | T | F | S | S |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2 | 3 | ||||
4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 |
18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 |
25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 |
Leave a Reply