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What Causes Yellow Teeth?
Ever wonder why your teeth are turning yellow? Read on to learn about common causes of yellow teeth.
1. Poor Dental Hygiene
Poor dental hygiene is perhaps the most common cause of yellow teeth. It is vital not just for your oral health but for the color of your teeth to practice good oral care every single day. This means that you need to brush your teeth with a fluoride toothpaste twice a day for two minutes each time, brush your tongue daily, and floss at least once a day. Additionally, you need to come in for regular dental checkups and cleanings. These practices will keep your teeth healthy and less prone to discoloration.
2. Certain Foods & Drinks
Another common cause of yellow teeth is diet. What you eat and drink plays a big part in your tooth color. Tooth discoloration can be caused by coffee, tea, wine, tomato sauce, soda, curry, berries, sports drinks, and balsamic vinegar.
3. Certain Medications
There are some medications that can actually stain your teeth. Tetracycline and doxycycline are two such medications that can lead to yellow teeth if given to children who are under the age of eight. Other medications that can cause teeth to yellow include antipsychotics, drugs for high blood pressure, antihistamines, and mouth rinses that contain chlorhexidine and cetylpyridinium chloride.
4. Smoking & Tobacco Products
Tobacco is very bad for your oral health and your overall health. By smoking tobacco, you are putting yourself at risk for developing yellow and brown surface stains on your teeth. If you are a smoker and want whiter teeth, your first step should be to stop smoking.
5. Age
As we age, our tooth enamel naturally starts to weaken. This is from years of being exposed to bacteria, acids, and the wear and tear of chewing. As the enamel erodes, the yellow layer of dentin underneath the enamel starts to show through.
6. Genetics
While it may seem unfair, some teeth are naturally more yellow than others! If your parents have yellow teeth, you may have inherited that from them.
If you have any other questions about why your teeth may be yellow, or if you want to schedule a regular checkup and cleaning, contact us today!