Although yellow teeth are not considered as serious as other conditions, they can affect your ability to smile every single day. It is easy to change the way you eat and drink, while also improving your oral hygiene routine. Your dentist may recommend whitening. These are the most common causes of undesirable tinges:
Genetics
Sometimes the family’s tooth color is inherited. It’s possible that one of your parents’ yellow teeth is yours. The four colors that are naturally white are reddish brown, yellow, gray, and reddish grey. This color depth can vary from light to dark.
Dentin
Teeth that have thin enamel and dentin beneath it look yellowish will appear yellow. Dentin, which is the deep yellowish to brownish substance that lies beneath the enamel of your teeth, is often responsible for the yellow color you see in the mirror.
The thick enamel protects the dentin but doesn’t always stop the stains from building up on the surface. This is another reason for yellow, which we will discuss further.
Wear
As you age, enamel begins to wear away due to chewing and acid exposure from food and drinks. Teeth eventually turn yellow. While most teeth become yellow with the loss of enamel with age, some may turn grayish if they are exposed to a permanent food stain.
Smoking
The nicotine from smoking can cause an unhealthy addiction. It leaves yellowish or brownish stains in your teeth.
Foods
A wide range of foods stain teeth. The pigments found in tomatoes, curry spices, and berries can cling to the enamel of teeth and cause staining. Even healthy salads with balsamic vinaigrette dressing can leave a disconcerting color on your teeth.
Drinks
The most common causes are coffee and tea, but also red and white wines. Dark and light sodas, as well as sports drinks that have artificial flavoring, are other culprits.
Antibiotics
When teeth are developing in the gums, Tetracycline antibiotics can stain them. The National Intitutes of Health states that if your mother used antibiotics during the second half of her pregnancies or before age eight, then you could have permanent stained adult teeth and need an in-office bleaching procedure.
Fluorosis
Fluoride is good to teeth but too much fluoride can lead to yellowish or brownish spots called fluorosis. Fluoridated water and fluoride toothpaste are the best sources of fluoride. If you are concerned that your child or you are taking too much fluoride through these sources, talk to your dentist.
Accidents
An accident or other trauma can cause cracks in tooth enamel and damage the interior of the tooth. This may lead to discoloration, which could indicate bleeding that requires professional attention.
Grinding
Tooth grinding can be an unconscious habit that some people develop when they are stressed, particularly while they sleep. It’s also known as bruxism. This is a dangerous habit that can cause tooth enamel to weaken and yellow to the point where it cracks.