Even if you brush your teeth every day, they can end up looking yellow because the inside layer of your tooth that occurs naturally and is called dentin is yellow and, as your age increases, your enamel thinning occurs naturally, exposing more of this dentin; that is usually amplified by food and beverage staining, such as with coffee, tea, red wine, and Tobacco, and the improper brushing which can leave residue plaque behind.
Diet: Eating foods and drinks with a high pigment load, like coffee, tea, red wine, berries, and dark sauce, can contribute to discoloration over time. Such discoloration can settle on the enamel and cause the teeth to become yellow.
Smoking Tobacco: Tobacco product or cigarette smoking may also produce discoloration of the teeth caused by tar and nicotine substances found in both.
Aging: As you get older, the outer layer of tooth enamel gradually wears away, exposing the yellowish dentin beneath. This is a natural process of aging and can lead to yellowing teeth.
Genetics: Certain individuals are genetically predisposed to have teeth that look more yellow or stained. Indians tend to have a more pale complexion when compared to Caucasians.
Poor Oral Hygiene: Even if you brush your teeth every day, poor or incorrect brushing methods can fail to remove all the plaque and stains from the surface of your teeth.
Medical Conditions: Some medical conditions and prescription drugs may change the colour of your teeth. For instance, some antidepressants, antibiotics, and certain antihistamines, including tetracycline, can stain teeth permanently if consumed while developing teeth.
Yellow Teeth
1. Natural Tooth Colour and Genetics
Explanation: Your teeth are not naturally pure white. The colour of your teeth is determined by genetics and the enamel thickness. The dentin, the layer beneath the enamel, is yellowish, and as enamel gets thinner, it can cause the yellow dentin to become more apparent.
Solution: Understanding that some yellowing is normal for some individuals, but eating a healthy diet and practicing good oral hygiene can keep them as white as they can be.
2. Food and Beverage Stains
Explanation: Some foods and beverages, such as coffee, tea, red wine, curry, and berries, have pigments that can stain teeth over time. Acidic foods also soften enamel, allowing stains to adhere more easily.
Solution: Reducing consumption of stain-causing foods and beverages, or rinsing the mouth with water afterwards, may minimize staining. You may also attempt to drink using a straw to lessen contact with your teeth.
3. Poor Brushing or Brushing Technique
Explanation: Brushing is critical, but brushing too fast, too softly, or too forcefully can impact the outcome. Plaque and stains can accumulate if you brush for less than two minutes or apply incorrect technique.
Solution: Dr Chirag Chamria recommends brushing for two minutes, but just that isn’t enough. The right technique is more important. Gently moving brush in circular motions with a soft-bristled toothbrush cleans more efficiently.
4. Plaque Build-up
Explanation: Plaque is a gooey layer of bacteria that settles on your teeth. If left on the teeth, it can harden into tartar, causing yellowing and contributing to cavities and gum disease.
Solution: Brushing regularly, flossing, and seeing the dentist for professional cleaning can prevent plaque. Get your professional cleaning done at Royal Dental Clinics at Rs 2400, which helps to maintain oral hygiene.
5. Aging and Enamel Wear
Explanation: With age, the enamel on our teeth wears off naturally. Thin enamel permits the yellow dentin beneath to show more obviously.
Solution: Aging is unavoidable, but good oral hygiene, restricting acidic foods, and avoiding hard-bristled toothbrushes can help save enamel.
6. Tobacco Use
Explanation: Tobacco chewing or smoking causes staining because of nicotine and tar. These chemicals can cause persistent yellow or brown stains on your teeth.
Solution: The ideal solution is to quit tobacco use. Regular dental cleaning can also remove some of the stains.
7. Certain Medications
Explanation: Certain drugs, such as some antibiotics (e.g., tetracycline), are known to stain teeth, especially if used during childhood when teeth are still in the developmental stages.
Solution: If you believe your drug is staining your teeth, discuss different alternatives with your doctor. Your dentist may also suggest whitening procedures.
8. Whitening Overuse
Explanation: Using too much whitening toothpaste or bleaching agents removes the enamel from your teeth, so they end up looking yellower in the long run.
Solution: Use whitening products moderately, and if worried about enamel destruction, get professional treatments from a dentist.
9. Health Conditions
Explanation: Certain medical conditions, like acid reflux, contribute to erosion of the enamel. Also, disorders like fluorosis (exposure to excessive fluoride during childhood) or infection cause discoloration.
Solution: Consult your dentist to ascertain the cause and learn about the possible treatments for the health condition and the discoloration.
How to Prevent or Treat Yellow Teeth:
Regular Cleanings: Have your dentist perform professional cleanings every 6-12 months.
Whitening Treatments: If over-the-counter whitening strips and home remedies aren’t sufficient, professional whitening treatments may do the trick.
Practice Good Oral Hygiene: Brush teeth at least twice daily, floss once a day, and rinse with mouthwash to keep plaque under control.
Stay Hydrated: Drink lots of water to aid in flushing food bits and bacteria.
Dietary Changes: Minimize intake of stain-inducing foods and beverages.
Yellow Teeth Treatments
1. Whitening Toothpaste
How it works: It removes surface stains and is able to whiten teeth by a shade or two.
Best for: Light staining due to food and beverages.
2. Professional Teeth Whitening
How it works: Dentists apply more potent whitening products to whiten the teeth, which produces stronger results.
Best for: Deep stains and general yellowing of the teeth.
3. At-Home Whitening Kits
How it works: At-home whitening kits contain peroxide-based gels or strips that you put on your teeth.
Best for: For people who prefer to whiten at home but in a controlled environment.
4. Whitening Mouthwash
How it works: Assists in whitening teeth and also freshens breath. It is usually hydrogen peroxide-based.
Best for: Bleaching light stains and protecting whitening.
5. Dental Bonding or Veneers
How it works: For extreme staining, dental bonding or veneers will cover the stained teeth for a longer-lasting solution.
Best for: Extreme staining or structural damage.
6. Laser Teeth Whitening
How it works: A dentist applies a whitening gel to the teeth and activates it with a laser, accelerating the process.
Best for: Fast results, usually in one visit.
7. Avoid Stain-Causing Foods
How it works: Cutting down or avoiding foods and beverages such as coffee, tea, red wine, and berries can halt future staining.
Best for: Preventing new stains from occurring.
8. Regular Dental Cleanings
How it works: Professional cleaning eliminates plaque and tartar that may lead to yellowing.
Best for: General care and to prevent teeth from yellowing with time.
Conclusion.
Yellow teeth may happen even with consistent brushing because of reasons such as genetics, aging, plaque buildup, food and beverage stains (such as coffee or wine), smoking, medications, and misuse of whitening products. To avert or treat yellow teeth, maintain good oral hygiene (brushing, flossing, and mouthwash), reduce foods that stain, and see the dentist for periodic cleaning. If the discoloration is not going away, get professional whitening or consult with your dentist for additional alternatives.
