Top 6 Causes of Yellow Teeth & How to Fix Them

April 4, 2023

Filed under: Uncategorized — Dr. Buck @ 4:29 pm
a man looking up and worried about yellow teeth

One of the last things people want from their smile is to see yellow teeth in the mirror. While this is a fairly common problem shared by many, there are various reasons why it occurs. The good news is that you don’t have to settle for this situation, as you can undergo cosmetic dentistry to upgrade your pearly whites. Before choosing a treatment, here are the most common causes of yellow teeth and some of the most effective ways to address them.

#1: Overexposure to Fluoride as a Child

Although fluoride is extremely important for fighting off cavities, using too much of it as a kid can result in uneven colors in your permanent teeth. This can often appear mild or “natural” but sometimes it can be quite noticeable. Though professional teeth whitening is a popular and effective way to address this, you might also benefit greatly by undergoing dental bonding or veneers for longer-lasting results.

#2: Natural Wear-and-Tear

Over time, your enamel will gradually weaken over years of use from eating, talking, and using your teeth every day. This can result in slight discoloration in your smile. A simple way to remove years of stains and boost your confidence is to get professional teeth whitening!

#3: Overindulging In Dark-Colored Foods

If you tend to snack on treats like blueberries or chocolate or sip coffee every morning, you can increase your chances of developing stains in your teeth. They contain sugars and acids that make your enamel vulnerable to dark-colored particles that can discolor your smile. By undergoing either an at-home or in-office whitening treatment, you can easily blast away the toughest discolorations.

#4: Poor Everyday Oral Hygiene

Brushing, flossing, and rinsing are some of the easiest ways to avoid cavities as well as dental stains. While it’s important to do this every day, there’s only so much your toothbrush can do alone. That’s why you’ll want to visit your dentist every six months for deep cleanings. You might even consult them about teeth whitening for a more noticeable improvement.

#5: Using Tobacco Products

Smoking or chewing tobacco can affect both your oral health and pearly whites. These products contain heavily-pigmented particles that can end up soaking into your teeth and creating highly-visible stains. While professional whitening procedures can typically solve this issue, more severe cases might require solutions like dental bonding or veneers.

#6: Family History

Yellow teeth can sometimes run in your genetics, which might make it more difficult for professional whitening treatments to work. Since this kind of discoloration may be intrinsic, the bleaching gels won’t be able to penetrate far enough to blast away the stains. Instead, you might consider composite resin or veneers.

Whether you have dental discoloration due to dark-colored foods or your genetics, you don’t have to settle for a smile you aren’t proud of. Consult your dentist about your cosmetic treatment options, and they’ll be glad to discuss which solution is best for you!

About the Practice

At Distinctive Smiles of Dublin, we are committed to providing exceptional and personalized dental care for our patients. On top of helping them maintain healthy smiles, we also offer multiple cosmetic services, including teeth whitening, dental bonding, and veneers. If you have yellow teeth and want an effective solution, feel free to reach out to our office or call us at 614-792-1800 to schedule your appointment.