What is the Main Cause of Yellow Teeth?
Bright, pearly-white teeth are always the goal, but yellow teeth? No one wants those. Still, sometimes our teeth can be much less white than we’d like, and it can be tricky to know just why your teeth are turning yellow.
Wondering what the main cause of yellow teeth is? You’re not alone. Tooth whitening products and services are increasingly popular for this very reason. Yellow teeth are definitely considered unsightly by most, but they can also signify that something is more than just aesthetically wrong.
If your teeth are yellow or not as bright-white as you’d like them to be, don’t worry – there are some things you can do. Here’s a breakdown of the main reasons teeth can appear discolored and some of the ways that you work on brightening them back up.
What Causes Yellow Teeth?
Teeth can yellow naturally as we age, but if you’re young and experiencing yellowing of your teeth, there are a few main culprits that could be behind the process.
Intrinsic Causes of Tooth Discoloration
Intrinsic causes are things that occur inside your body to yellow your teeth. Some diseases can cause teeth to be yellow or discolored. Also, some medications can cause teeth to become discolored, especially in children whose teeth are still developing.
Extrinsic Causes of Tooth Discoloration
Extrinsic causes of tooth decay are those that happen to the exterior of your teeth, and these causes are the most common causes of tooth yellowing.
Foods and drinks can stain teeth, especially things like tea, coffee, red wine, tomato sauce, and berries.
Smoking can stain teeth and cause gum disease. Smoking is one of the worst things that you can do to your teeth and your health in general.
Accidents that damage your teeth can also leave them discolored. Trauma to the tooth can lead to cracks in the tooth enamel and even the interior part of the tooth. Dental injuries typically require professional treatment by a dentist.
Poor dental hygiene is probably the most significant contributor to yellow teeth. Regular brushing, flossing, and dental checkups can keep teeth from becoming discolored and unhealthy.
How Can I Treat Yellow Teeth?
Most people who notice that their teeth are yellowing want to whiten them. After all bright white teeth indicate a healthy smile.
Before you treat yellow teeth, you need to know what’s causing them to be yellow. Once you’ve ruled out an injury, illness, or medication as the cause, you can try to tackle the external causes of tooth discoloration.
At-home Remedies
You probably have several at-home remedies for treating yellow teeth in your house at any given time. These are gentle treatments that you can try before resorting to other measures.
Baking soda and peroxide are common ingredients in whitening toothpaste, and this combination can help brighten your smile. Make a paste of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda and brush with it 1-2 times a week. The baking soda is abrasive and helps scrape off plaque when you brush, while the peroxide acts as a mild bleach to whiten the surface of your teeth.
Coconut oil pulling has become a popular way to whiten teeth and improve oral health. Coconut oil has antibacterial properties, and while there’s no evidence that it directly whitens teeth, it does help kill the bacteria that can lead to tooth discoloration. Simply swish coconut oil around inside your mouth for a few minutes each day to reap the benefits.
Whitening toothpaste can whiten teeth gradually. Use this as directed on the package to lift stains and brighten your smile gently.
Whitening strips or whitening pastes are over-the-counter products designed to whiten teeth at home. These are milder, less effective versions of the treatments done in your dentist’s office, but they can still be effective at gentle whitening of your teeth.
Brush regularly and floss daily to reverse yellowing caused by poor dental hygiene. This will also improve your overall oral health and keep your teeth healthy.
Other Treatments for Yellow Teeth
If at-home treatments don’t help whiten your teeth, you should schedule an appointment with your dentist. There could be an underlying reason why your teeth are yellowing, and your dentist can find out the cause and offer a solution.
If your yellowing is purely cosmetic or there is no underlying issue that needs to be addressed first, your dentist may offer professional teeth whitening services. These treatments are considerably more potent than the ones you can buy in stores, and they provide quick, effective, safe results that last.
Let Carrie Muzny DDS Help Brighten Your Smile
There’s no one magic bullet when it comes to getting and keeping a great smile. What you eat is as important as how often you brush and floss, but sometimes, even the healthiest smiles can use a little help.
At Carrie Muzny DDS, we have your needs and your comfort in mind. From cleanings to fillings, to whitening and veneers, we provide everything you need to get the smile you deserve. We cover several insurance providers, provide a variety of services, and have experience in many areas of dentistry.
To let us help you get that perfect smile, contact us today. You can even request a virtual consultation!
