For many people, yellow teeth are a big problem. It can cause you to smile less, feel insecure and generally not feel comfortable showing your teeth. However, there are different reasons why teeth turn yellow. Some people are predisposed, while others have caused it themselves.
Read more about yellow teeth here or contact Tandliv today.
Why do you get yellow teeth?
There are several reasons why teeth turn yellow. For most people, teeth become progressively more yellow as they get older. For some, tooth discoloration will appear earlier than for others. This can either be due to their genetics or lifestyle. Overall, there are certain foods and habits you should avoid or cut back on if you don't want yellow teeth.
If you are looking for treatment for yellow teeth, feel free to click here and read more about our teeth whitening services.
Does coffee make your teeth yellow?
One of the most common habits that can cause yellow teeth is coffee. It's also one of the biggest culprits in the category of foods that cause tooth discoloration. For many years, coffee has been particularly reviled and has sometimes led people to believe that it was harmful to both teeth and gums. However, this is not the case, although it is a culprit when it comes to the color of your teeth. Although coffee can discolor your teeth, it's not necessarily something that should be avoided. As long as you keep regular visits to the dentist and take care of your teeth on a daily basis.
Do everything in moderation and make sure to care and maintain dental visits.
What causes yellow teeth?
There are several different foods you should cut back on if you want to give your teeth the best chance of staying white.
- Black tea: In the same category as coffee, you will find tea, which can cause yellow teeth. Black teas, such as Earl Grey and English Breakfast, are full of tannic acid, which makes it easier for chromogens to stick to the enamel.
- Red wine: Red wine is delicious and tastes great. Unfortunately, it is clearly one of the worst foods you can expose your teeth to if you don't want them to turn yellow. Red wine contains a lot of tannic acid, also known as tannins. Tannic acid contributes to the slightly bitter and dry sensation you get when you take a sip of red wine. You can experience the same sensation if you take a sip of black tea that has been left to steep for too long.
- Acidic food and drinks: Certain drinks and foods are particularly high in acid. In this category, soda, specifically cola, is a culprit. Cola has an extremely high pH value and also contains chromogens. The combination of these makes cola one of the worst things you can expose your teeth to.
Although most fruit is healthy and full of vitamins, it is also full of fruit acid. Therefore, if you want to avoid acid damage that can lead to yellow teeth, it's a good idea to cut back on fruits that are high in fruit acid. These include apples, lemons and grapes. - Cigarettes: Smoking is not good for your teeth or your health. This bad habit is a major culprit when it comes to tooth discoloration.
- Poor oral hygiene: Maintaining good oral hygiene is important if you want to keep your teeth white. If you have poor oral hygiene and do not brush your teeth as recommended or keep your dental appointments, this can affect the color of your teeth.
If you want to know more or book an appointment for teeth whitening, you are more than welcome to contact us.
Can yellow teeth turn white again?
Yellow teeth can turn white again. At Tandliv, we offer teeth whitening as a treatment. In our clinics, we distinguish between two different causes of tooth discoloration.
- Internal discolorations
- External discolorations
If you have internal discoloration, it means that the discoloration is coming from inside the tooth itself. It can either be because the tooth is dead or it can be age-related. In other words, it's not something you as a patient are responsible for and can therefore be accidental or natural.
If you have external discoloration, it means that the discoloration is caused by the things you have exposed your teeth to such as habits, foods and drinks. Discoloration can also be caused by poor oral hygiene. For example, you may not have had your teeth cleaned annually at the dentist or not been careful enough with your toothbrush.
Can you prevent yellow teeth?
By cutting back on the habits and foods and drinks that are particularly bad for your teeth and remembering oral hygiene, you can go a long way in preventing yellow teeth.
It is therefore a good idea to:
- Reduce your tea and coffee intake
- Reduce your intake of soft drinks (especially cola)
- Avoid smoking
- Acidic foods
- Make sure to brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste
- Keep your dental appointments. A dental cleaning does more than you think.
Yellow teeth in children
Yellow teeth in children are not something you normally see. However, some children suffer from a dental disease that means their new teeth have not formed any enamel. Read more about tooth formation disorder here.
Many children experience enamel hypomineralization, which results in yellow and sometimes brown discolored teeth. Yellow teeth in children come in varying degrees of mild, moderate and severe. The stains will typically have a matte and rough surface, unlike regular tooth enamel, which is shiny and smooth.
The stains are caused by an enamel defect in children's teeth, where the enamel is thinner where the stains are. This also means that there is a higher risk of cavities occurring where the enamel is thinner. It's therefore important to remember to brush your child's teeth thoroughly with fluoride toothpaste every morning and evening.
Why do children get yellow teeth?
The ultimate cause of yellow and discolored teeth in children is not yet known for certain. However, it is believed that the cause is not poor toothbrushing, but a disruption in enamel formation in the jaw, resulting in a discolored and particularly sensitive tooth.
Enamel defects on children's teeth are most commonly seen on 6-year-old teeth or the first permanent molar, but it can also occur on other baby teeth and permanent teeth. If your child experiences yellow teeth, it should be checked more often at the dental clinic, where it can be treated with a fluoride varnish brushing, which strengthens the weakened enamel. The tooth can also be sealed with a thin layer of varnish, which protects the sensitive area from bacteria that can cause cavities. Learn more about caring for children's teeth here.
