6 Reasons Teeth Turn Yellow
Have you realised that your teeth aren’t looking as white as they used to? Are they remaining a shade of yellow even though you brush regularly?
There are several factors that contribute to the colour of your teeth. Some you can control and others you can’t.
Reasons Teeth Turn Yellow
- Smoking
Smoking makes your teeth yellow since the nicotine, tar and chemicals that are carried in the smoke seep into your tooth enamel’s pores, staining your once pearly whites. Studies have found that smokers tend to have not-so-bad to severe levels of discoloured teeth in comparison to just over 12% of non-smokers. Studies also show that smokers tend to be less happy about the state of their oral health.
- Poor Oral Hygiene
If you start to notice a yellowish build up on your teeth, it could be tartar or plaque. Plaque tends to form when bacteria from drinks and foods aren’t cleaned efficiently from the teeth. Over time, the plaque hardens and becomes tartar, which can only be removed by a hygienist or dentist. If your teeth are stained, you may want to consider teeth whitening Brisbane professionals are offering.
- Your Diet
What we put in our mouths can impact the colour of the teeth. If your teeth are yellow, it could be as a result of consuming the following foods:
- Curries
- Red wine
- Tea and coffee
- Beetroot
- Berries
- Tomato sauces
- Balsamic vinegar
- Soy sauce
- Fizzy drinks
- Sugary foods
- Sports drinks
- Juices and citrus fruits
- Artificial sweeteners
- Alcoholic drinks
By rinsing your mouth after consuming these items, you can help to minimise damage from any acid from the foods and drinks.
- Genetics
If you seem to have had yellow tinted teeth all your life, you may be able to blame your genes. Genetic variances can actually affect enamel porosity and tooth colour. What’s more, more porous enamel tends to be more liable to stain.
- Ageing
Aging is bad enough, but did you know it’s relatively normal for our teeth to yellow as we get older? That’s because the protective layer of enamel that we all have on our teeth becomes thinner with age, and it reveals the yellow dentin below the surface.
- Illnesses and Medication
Some antibiotics, for instance amoxicillin and tetracycline, can affect the shade of your teeth, particularly in younger children. Medications prescribed for adults with high blood pressure or allergies are also known to have this side effect. If you’re concerned that your medication is leading to yellow teeth, be sure to discuss this with your doctor.
There are also some illnesses, especially those that affect the liver, that can result in your teeth discolouring. Patients that undergo radiation and chemotherapy treatment for cancer may also find that their teeth begin to turn yellow or even brown.
Fortunately, with advanced teeth whitening treatments, you can go from yellow gnashes to pearly whites once more. Treatments are quick, easy and painless. You can talk to your dentist or hygienist about professional teeth whitening that is designed to last a long time and bring back confidence to your smile.
