Ever wonder why your teeth are not as white as they used to be? Here are 7 of the most common reasons why teeth turn yellow.
- Certain Foods & Drinks
- Natural Wear
- Exposed Dentin
- Teeth Grinding
- Smoking
- Genetics
- Fluorosis
A variety of foods can stain your teeth including cooked tomatoes, berries, and curry spices, which all contain pigments that cling to and discolor your enamel. Coffee and tea are widely known to stain teeth, as well as red and white wine, sports drinks, and sodas. To reduce tooth discoloration, try chewing sugarless gum and drinking water during and after all of your meals to wash away any particles that may yellow your teeth.
Over time, teeth wear down and part of that wear is the color. When enamel wears away from acidic food and drink and chewing, your teeth become more yellow. They could also take on a more grayish hue when mixed with a lasting food stain.
As your tooth enamel thins, the dentin that lies underneath shows through. This layer is naturally deep yellow or brown in color. Take care of your enamel by practicing good oral hygiene and eating a healthy diet.
If you grind your teeth, it could be wearing away at your tooth enamel. Also known as bruxism, grinding your teeth can weaken your enamel to the point of cracking and yellowing. Wear a mouthguard at night if you think you have a problem with grinding your teeth.
This is a pretty obvious one, but nicotine in smoking leaves brown or yellow surface stains on your teeth. Kick your smoking habit if you want whiter teeth!
As it happens, sometimes your tooth color is affected by your genes. If either one or both of your parents have yellow teeth, it’s likely that yours are a similar color. The natural shades of teeth, other than white, are reddish yellow, gray, reddish gray, and reddish brown. Depending on your genetics, you could have inherited teeth of any one of these shades.
If you consumed too much fluoride before 8 years old while your permanent teeth were developing under your gums, your teeth may have white streaks or gray or brownish spots called fluorosis. In an area where the community water supply is fluoridated, a child may be exposed to excessive fluoride by taking fluoride supplements and swallowing fluoride toothpaste.
We Will Restore Your Smile & Confidence!
If you’re concerned about your teeth being too yellow, come in for an appointment to find the best treatment option for your smile. At Grafton Dental Care, we offer custom tray teeth whitening, one-visit teeth whitening, and even dental veneers. Contact us today to schedule an appointment to get the smile of your dreams!
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