Are You Worried About Your Teeth Turning Yellow? Here Is How You Can Prevent It: Everybody desires white sparkling teeth. Why? A bright smile increases your confidence in public places and makes you more likable.
However, you’re likely to have low self-confidence if you have discolored teeth which is why yellow teeth are a huge concern to many.
Read on to discover the causes and how to prevent your teeth from becoming yellow.
What Causes Yellow Teeth?
Here are some common reasons for yellowing teeth
Table of Contents
1. Genetics
Do you know that you’re likely to have discolored teeth if one of your parents also experiences the same? Sometimes, yellowing teeth run in the family. The teeth can have a range of colors, including reddish-brown, reddish-yellow, and reddish-grey.
2. Drinks and Beverages
Coffee and tea are the primary culprits for tooth discoloration. However, excessive consumption of other drinks like wines, sodas with artificial flavors, and energy drinks can also cause yellow teeth.
3. Smoking
Tobacco cigarettes contain tar which sticks to teeth during smoking. It starts as small yellow patches on your enamels and turns into black spots over an extended time.
4. Antibiotics
Some antibiotics, especially doxycycline and tetracycline, can result in yellow teeth. If, as a child or baby, you were taking antibiotics, they could cause staining as your teeth were developing inside the gums, making it difficult to get rid of the color.
Expectant mothers who use these medications in the second half of their pregnancy put their children at a higher risk of yellowing teeth.
Antihistamines, antipsychotics, and drugs used to treat hypertension also cause tooth discoloration.
5. Poor Oral Hygiene
The most apparent cause of yellow teeth is poor oral hygiene. Food particles stick on the enamel and cause discoloration when you fail to brush your teeth regularly. Gradually, the plaque hardens into tartar, which isn’t easy to remove.
How to Prevent Yellowing Teeth
1. Observe Proper Oral Hygiene
Rule number one is to brush your teeth at least twice daily. Ideally, this should be after breakfast and before sleeping. When cleaning your teeth, brush both sides and the chewing surface. It’s advisable to brush after consuming things that cause tooth discoloration.
If you have yellow teeth, purchase whitening toothpaste. These products have mild abrasives that remove the stains without eroding the enamel. Also, floss once daily and gurgle clean water after consuming foods that may cause discoloration.
2. Activated Charcoal
Activated charcoal is an excellent absorbent that can remove stains from your teeth. In addition, some claim that it eliminates bacteria and toxins from the mouth.
To use it, put one capsule on your toothbrush. Then, brush your teeth for two minutes, emphasizing the stained parts. Be careful to avoid hurting your gums.
Crush the charcoal and place it against your teeth for two minutes if you have sensitive teeth. Alternatively, you can mix the charcoal with water and use it as a mouthwash.
It takes four weeks to see the impact of activated charcoal on stained teeth. However, it isn’t as effective as a whitening toothpaste.
3. Use Straws
Use straws if you can’t resist the urge to drink soda and other pigmented drinks. Straws keep the liquid off your teeth, reducing the chance of staining.
4. Visiting the Dentist
The best solution for tooth discoloration is to visit the dentist. While over-the-counter solutions like activated charcoal and whitening toothpaste work, they don’t remove stubborn stains.
A good dentist has the right skills and equipment to restore your teeth’ original color. If the discoloration is mild, they will use professional cleaning to remove the stains. Otherwise, they can use other techniques like bonding and veneer application to give you that sparkling smile.
Wrapping Up
Like most dental complications, yellow teeth result from negligence and poor habits. It’s vital to brush and floss your teeth. Drink a lot of water, especially after eating acidic or pigmented foods. Avoid smoking and reduce consumption of caffeinated beverages and sodas. More importantly, don’t skip dental appointments.
