Have you noticed that no matter how often you brush and floss, your teeth still look yellow? There are a variety of causes for this! Many people believe that smoking is the only cause of yellow teeth; this is not true, although the nicotine does cause teeth to turn yellow, and non-smokers can also have yellow teeth over a period of time.
The inner core of the tooth is a yellow color; the white is the enamel that covers the core. With some or all of the listed attributes, the enamel wears away and the yellow core becomes visible.
The most common causes of yellow teeth include diet and smoking. The various foods and drinks we consume on a daily basis contribute to yellow teeth. Tea, coffee, sodas, wine and other foods which are dark in color all stain the enamel on the teeth contributing to the yellow shade. Apart from avoiding all food groups which are dark in color as well as all drinks with caffeine, the only way to prolong the process of yellowing teeth from food and drink would be to rinse your mouth out thoroughly or brush your teeth after every meal.
Tobacco and nicotine do cause the teeth to go yellow, although this is not the only cause, as a smoker you should ensure that you visit your dentist on a regular basis for a full cleaning and possibly bleaching to return that sparkling smile to your dial!
Traumatic experiences could also cause yellow teeth, especially if in your childhood formative years; you experienced a trauma and have been battling with yellow teeth since! The traumatic experience could disrupt the formation of enamel in the young child, which would cause greater discoloration and yellow teeth in adulthood.
Genetics also play a part in the level of yellow teeth you are subjected to, perhaps your genetic makeup is to have very thick enamel on your teeth, so even if you do smoke or eat and drink very dark food groups, you will not have a problem with yellow teeth compared to someone who does not have the same genetic makeup and has a thinner enamel!
Older dental fillings which were done with silver sulfide can make the tooth that has this filling appear gray or black. Dental hygiene also contributes to yellow teeth! If you do not brush your teeth a minimum of twice a day and floss at least once a day, eventually the buildup of plaque forms a yellow tartar on the teeth and the teeth look yellow! It is very important to brush and floss daily for healthy white teeth!
Disease and medications also contribute to yellow teeth. There are some diseases that eat away at the enamel of the teeth, revealing the naturally yellow dentine which is the inner core of the teeth. Some medications also cause the enamel on the teeth to weaken or to discolor the teeth, making the teeth look yellow.
Lastly, your age! The older you get, the less enamel you have on your teeth as it erodes with the passing years, and therefore it is rather common that older people do have yellow teeth!
Now that you know what has caused your yellow teeth, contact us so that we can help you restore your smile to the beautiful white smile that bedazzles!