You’ve probably come across commercials that promote teeth whitening, which leave you with the impression that white teeth are a must and that discoloration means your teeth are dirty. Unfortunately, having discolored teeth is a natural part of life and happens gradually.
If you want to understand more about yellow teeth and other tooth discolorations, here are the three main types you should remember:
- Worn Enamel. This usually occurs as you age because as the enamel wears down, the dentin layer underneath becomes more visible, leading to a yellowish hue.
- Extrinsic Staining. This discoloration is often caused by food and drink that can stain your teeth, such as coffee, tea, red wine, and berries.
- Intrinsic Staining. This type of discoloration is due to the natural color of your teeth, and it’s usually more noticeable in people with lighter-colored teeth.
Top Causes of Yellow Teeth
Your teeth might become discolored for several reasons, including:
- Sugar and Simple Carbohydrates. If your diet consists of simple carbohydrates, such as candy and soda, your teeth will become stained and discolored over time. The sugar and acids in these foods can eat away your tooth enamel, making your teeth more susceptible to staining.
- Tooth Decay. Tooth decay is a common cause of yellow teeth. When plaque forms on your teeth, it can harden and turn into tartar. This can lead to tooth decay and cavities.
- Smoking. Smoking can cause your teeth to be yellow and decay. The nicotine in cigarettes can stain your teeth and make them more susceptible to decay.
- Poor Oral Hygiene. Plaque and bacteria will pile up on your teeth if you don’t clean and floss your teeth often. This can cause your teeth to become stained and discolored.
- Coffee and Tea. Coffee and tea are both known for staining teeth. The dark pigments in these drinks can attach to your teeth and cause them to yellow over time.
- Age. As you get older, your teeth naturally start to yellow. This is due to the natural thinning of your tooth enamel and the accumulation of plaque and bacteria on your teeth.
How to Treat Your Tooth Discolorations
- Cut Back or Quit From Smoking. This step might be challenging, especially if you’re addicted to cigarettes, but it’s worth it to improve your teeth’ health and overall well-being.
- Brush and Floss Regularly. One of the most remarkable things you can do to maintain healthy, bacteria- and plaque-free teeth is to do this.
- Use Teeth Whitening Products. You can avail of many teeth whitening products on the market, such as whitening toothpaste, whitening strips, gels, etc. They can help remove some of the surface stains on your teeth and give them a pearly white appearance.
- See a Dentist. If your tooth discoloration is severe, or if you’ve tried other methods that haven’t worked, you may need to see a dentist for professional teeth whitening treatments.
Final Thoughts
Tooth discoloration can be caused by a variety of factors, both internal and external. There are many ways to treat tooth discoloration at home and through professional means. By figuring out the causes and treatment options for tooth discoloration, people can maintain healthy, white teeth for a lifetime.
Manassas Smiles offers reliable and cost-efficient teeth whitening services to help keep your teeth pearly white and healthy. Schedule an appointment with us today!