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What Are the Causes of Yellow Teeth?

What Are the Causes of Yellow Teeth?

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While you may see those models, Hollywood stars, and even vloggers sporting white teeth, most people’s smiles are a bit duller. The fact that many have yellowish teeth is not very surprising at all. Check out more information about yellowish teeth on this site here.

There are so many factors that can contribute to the stains and yellowish hues. Teeth coloration can make some people a bit self-conscious about their overall looks. Most of them avoid smiling because they don’t look as lovely as they like.

There are a lot of factors that the discoloration of the teeth. The causes of yellow teeth can be categorized into two, which are intrinsic and extrinsic factors, according to this reputable dentist in tallahassee fl. The yellowish hues may be caused by a wide range of health factors, including an improper oral hygiene and medications to treat some illnesses.

About Extrinsic Stains

2 cans of coca cola and a glass of coca cola.

The extrinsic stains are found on the enamel surface, and they are usually hardened. The enamel can easily be stained from coffee, tea, or wine. However these discolorations can be corrected or removed as soon as possible by brushing.

The number one cause among the causes of yellow teeth and their discoloration is one’s lifestyle. There are so many factors, including teas, coffees, smoking, and chewing tobacco. Luckily, one can get some of the best whitening kit on Amazon to reverse the discoloration process. The users can get confident with their smiles once again. 

If you want a guide, the beverages and food that can stain your clothes are also the ones responsible for the different hues of color on your teeth and among the causes of yellow teeth. This is why darker beverages like cola, red wine, tea, chocolates, dark sauces – like balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, curries, and spaghetti sauce – can cause discoloration.

In addition to the mentioned drinks, specific fruits and veggies like pomegranates, beets, cherries, blueberries, and grapes can have the potential to give you yellowish teeth. The items have high chromogen content, and their pigments can stick to one’s enamel. In addition to these, the candies and popsicles are other foods that you may want to avoid as they can stain.

It’s important to know that it doesn’t mean that you should completely avoid the food and drinks that can cause extrinsic stains on your teeth. You can always eat or drink them, but it’s better to brush your teeth afterward or use a straw for sodas.

The acidic food can erode your tooth enamel, and the pigments will latch easier to the surface. The bitter compound called tannin present in wines and teas can also help the chromogens become attached to your enamel. This can ultimately cause the stains. For people who can’t live without tea, the good news is that they can add a bit of milk in their drinks to reduce the chances of stains. The milk binds tannin. So you won’t have more hues on the teeth after your morning cup of tea.

If you are taking iron supplements, they can add stains, but you can remove them if you have proper dental hygiene. You need to take care of your pearly whites by regular brushing and flossing. If you want a more effective solution, your dentist can provide deep cleaning that can remove plaque build-up. They can also give you kits that will help whiten your teeth. 

What to Know about Intrinsic Stains

The intrinsic variety occurs from the inside of a tooth’s structure. The structure called dentin will make the stains all the more difficult to remove.

Numerous drugs can cause intrinsic stains. For children who are taking doxycycline or other antibiotics while their teeth are under development, their parents may notice that a tooth may become more brownish or yellowish. Many women who take tetracycline when they are in the pregnancy or breastfeeding stages may also cause their babies to have discolored teeth.

During the years of being an adult, a lot of mouthwash used to treat gingivitis or the ones that can significantly reduce bacteria can cause a brown hue on one’s enamel. There are also drugs like minocycline that fight acne but can cause discoloration on the person taking it.

Undergoing treatments like chemotherapy can cause intrinsic staining. Know more about adverse effects of chemo on the tooth here: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30098781/. Many antihistamines, drugs for blood pressure, and antipsychotics can also cause yellowish teeth.

Although fluoride is often recommended because of its benefits, getting too much on your toothpaste may not be a good choice for you and the entire family. There’s a condition called Fluorosis that can cause some brown spots on a specific tooth. This is an issue in places where the drinking water is rich in fluoride, and people are drinking from supplies coming from wells. Amalgam restorations and silver fillings can add a gray-black tinge to a tooth. So it’s best to discuss options with your dentist if color is an issue for you.

Additional Causes to Know About

causes of yellow teeth: man holding picture of white teeth.

Aside from the stains, genetics, illnesses, injuries, and age are other factors that can play a part in yellow teeth. Some of the reasons why many people have this are because of their genetics. There are inherited disorders like amelogenesis imperfecta. These can cause improper development of the tooth, leading to discoloration. 

Other individuals may have issues with their heredity, which give them thinner and duller tooth enamel. Some are born with whiter teeth that appear brighter than other people. Part of this reason is that the enamel is considered semi-translucent. If you have thinner layers, the dental color will naturally show. So you may want to consider whitening products to improve your smile.

Your age can also cause darkening as when one gets older. The enamel also becomes thinner over time. An enough saliva production is also a big factor that keeps your enamel protected. The saliva can help wash away the plaque of the teeth, and it will help in making your teeth look brighter and whiter. It’s also important to use fluoride-based toothpaste and water for better protection.

 

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