Maintaining a consistent oral hygiene routine is important for healthy teeth and gums, but many people are surprised to find that their teeth appear yellow despite daily brushing. Brushing your teeth every day can remove plaque, but it doesn’t always prevent yellowing caused by deeper factors like enamel wear, diet, or lifestyle habits. To address yellowing effectively, it’s helpful to identify the underlying cause and take appropriate steps to restore your smile.
Scheduling a dental exam and cleaning can provide insights into your oral health and help pinpoint the reasons behind tooth discolouration. Professional teeth whitening, in combination with regular exams and cleanings, can also enhance your overall brighten your smile.
Understanding the Natural Colour of Teeth
Teeth aren’t naturally bright white; their colour can range from off-white to yellowish hues due to the colour of the dentin layer beneath the enamel. Dentin, a yellow tissue, becomes more visible as enamel thins due to wear, age, or poor oral health habits. Even with good hygiene practices, this natural process can result in yellowing over time.
A comprehensive dental examination can help determine if your tooth colour is natural or related to external factors, like staining.
What Causes Yellow Teeth?
Dietary Habits
Your diet plays a significant role in the appearance of your teeth. Foods and drinks that commonly stain teeth include:
- Coffee, tea, and red wine: These dark-coloured beverages leave behind pigments that can stain enamel.
- Acidic foods: Citrus fruits and sodas weaken enamel, increasing the risk of stains.
- Deeply pigmented foods: Foods like soy sauce, berries, turmeric, and tomato-based sauces can contribute to discolouration.
Reducing your consumption of these items or rinsing with water afterward can help limit their impact. If yellowing persists, a professional teeth cleaning can remove surface stains effectively.
Lifestyle Choices
Certain lifestyle habits can exacerbate yellowing:
- Smoking and tobacco use: These are among the most significant contributors to teeth staining. This includes nicotine staining from vaping and cigarettes. Tannins contained in cannabis may stain your teeth brownish or yellowish.
- Poor oral hygiene: Skipping proper brushing or flossing leads to plaque buildup, which can make teeth appear yellow.
- Medications: Some antibiotics and antihistamines may discolour teeth over time.
Does Age Affect Tooth Colour?
As you age, your enamel naturally thins, revealing more of the yellow dentin beneath. Enamel erosion can also occur faster due to acidic foods, teeth grinding, or insufficient dental care. The thinning of enamel makes teeth more susceptible to staining from foods, drinks, and other factors. While this process is inevitable, maintaining good oral hygiene can help slow it down.
How to Address Yellow Teeth
There are a few simple strategies to follow if you wish to brighten your smile:
Improve Your Oral Hygiene
Maintaining good oral hygiene is essential for a healthy, bright smile. Follow these steps for effective care:
- Brush your teeth twice a day using fluoride or whitening toothpaste to strengthen enamel and reduce surface stains.
- Floss daily to remove plaque and food particles from hard-to-reach areas.
- Rinse with a whitening mouthwash to tackle surface stains and keep your breath fresh.
Regular brushing and flossing help prevent plaque buildup and protect your enamel.
Professional Whitening Treatments
When daily oral hygiene isn’t enough, teeth whitening offers an effective solution. Professional whitening treatments provide faster and more dramatic results than over-the-counter options. For long-lasting results, your dentist may recommend cleaning your teeth before undergoing a whitening procedure.
Regular Recall Exams
Visiting your dentist every 6 months helps your teeth stay healthy and free of plaque and tartar. Your dentist can also recommend the best whitening solutions for your unique needs–and that starts with a regular check-up.
Take the First Step Towards a Brighter Smile
Yellowing teeth can be frustrating, but professional care offers effective solutions. Regular cleanings and treatments can improve your smile and oral health. At Dentistry on Danforth, we offer comprehensive dental services, including cleanings and whitening treatments, to meet your unique needs.
Ready to refresh your smile? Book your appointment today.