Have you ever looked into the mirror and thought that your smile was not as bright and white as it once was? Here we’ll share some reasons why teeth turn yellow.
Food & Drinks
This is probably the most well known cause of yellow teeth because we all know that things like coffee and tea can cause your teeth to become dimmer. However, there are a number of other foods and drinks that can cause your teeth to yellow including red and white wine, tomato sauce, berries, sodas, curry, sports drinks, and even balsamic vinegar.
Smoking
Another more obvious cause of yellow teeth is smoking. Tobacco can leave yellow or brown surface stains on your teeth. If you want to have white teeth, you have to quit smoking.
Genetics
This one may seem unfair, but sometimes genes are responsible for yellow teeth. Besides white, teeth naturally come in shades of reddish yellow, reddish brown, reddish gray, and gray. If your parents have yellow teeth, chances are you might too.
Medication
Tetracycline and doxycycline are two antibiotics that can stain developing teeth when given to children under the age of eight. Other medications that can stain teeth include mouth rinses that contain chlorhexidine and cetylpyridinium chloride and antihistamines, drugs for high blood pressure, and antipsychotics.
Age
As you get older, your enamel wears away. This is natural because over the years your teeth is exposed to acids and simply gets worn down by chewing. When the enamel wears away your dentin, the layer of teeth under your enamel, shows through and it just so happens to be yellow in color.
Poor Dental Hygiene
One of the main causes of yellow teeth is not practicing good oral healthcare every day. To maintain the bright white shade of teeth, you must brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes at a time, floss at least once a day, and use fluoride toothpaste. Without these dental hygiene habits, bacteria, acids, and plaque build up on your teeth, wearing away at your enamel and causing a number of dental health issues the least of which is yellow teeth. Besides practicing good oral health habits every day, it’s also vital that you come in to get regular cleanings and checkups in order to keep your teeth nice and white. Contact us to schedule an appointment today!
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