Did you know that teeth are not naturally bright white? Rather, their natural color is slightly off white or a very light shade of yellow. But what if your teeth are too yellow? What can cause that type of discoloration, and how can you brighten your smile? Should you visit a nearby dental practice for professional teeth whitening? This blog post shares some helpful information.
Common Causes of Yellow Teeth
Some of the most common causes of yellow teeth include:
- Diet: Highly pigmented foods, such as coffee, tea, and red wine, are common causes of tooth discoloration.
- Smoking: Smoking is a leading cause of yellow or brown teeth. The chemicals in the smoke can seep into your enamel and lead to discoloration.
- Illness: Some medical conditions and medications may cause yellow teeth. For example, Celiac disease, liver disease, and cancer treatments may all contribute to tooth discoloration.
- Poor oral hygiene: Inadequate oral hygiene can allow plaque to accumulate on your teeth; it has a slightly yellow color. Failure to brush and floss can also mean you are not removing new surface stains.
- Fluoride: Overuse of fluoridated products is connected to dental discoloration.
- Age: As you age, your enamel can become thinner, making it easier to see the yellow dentin beneath it.
Brightening Your Smile
The best way to fix yellow teeth depends on what is causing the discoloration. Here are a few possible solutions:
- Professional teeth whitening can remove surface stains and deeper-set stains that are caused by things like food, beverages, and smoking. Both in-office and take-home whitening kits are available.
- Cosmetic bonding or other types of restorations can cover stubborn types of discoloration that may not respond well to regular whitening treatments.
- Thorough oral hygiene can prevent new surface stains.
- A balanced diet that does not contain a lot of highly pigmented items can reduce staining. Eating a lot of calcium and vitamin D can play a role in keeping your enamel strong and healthy.
- You may need to quit smoking to keep your teeth as white as possible.
Yellow teeth can be truly annoying! Talk to your dentist to find out how you can achieve a whiter, more confident smile.
Meet the Practice
Drs. Erin Page and Wanda I. Saldaña are proud to provide the Schenectady community with a broad range of general and cosmetic dental services, including professional whitening, cosmetic bonding, and more. If you have concerns about the way your smile looks, our team would be happy to consult with you. Get in touch with Capital Smiles at 518-374-0317.