How to Reduce the Stains on Yellow Teeth
Have you ever seen those television commercials where the people have pearly, white teeth? Maybe your teeth are almost completely white, but you have a few stubborn stains that just won’t go away? Luckily, there are a few things you can do to help remove stains and lessen the chances of teeth yellowing in the future.
What Causes Yellow Teeth?
Sometimes, teeth can darken due to things we can’t control, such as aging, genetics, or an accident that disturbs our enamel’s development.1 However, some discoloration is caused by surface stains that can be removed with the right products and healthy habits. The following factors determine the color of your teeth:1,2,3,6
1. Diet
What you eat and drink can stain your teeth. Coffee, tea, and red wine can add brown stains to your nearly white teeth.
2. Age
As you get older, your teeth’s enamel becomes thinner. Thin enamel reveals more of the yellow-colored dentin on your teeth, which is the layer under your enamel.
3. Genetics
Some people have less than white teeth from childhood to adulthood because of their genes. Genetics can determine the thickness of the enamel that protects your teeth.3
4. Medication
Some medications and treatments may have the side effect of discoloring your teeth. Medications used to manage allergies and high blood pressure can have this side effect. Antibiotics such as doxycycline and tetracycline can also cause changes in enamel formation and tooth color when taken under the age of 8.
5. Smoking
Smoking can cause teeth yellowing because tar and nicotine can stain your teeth.
6. Poor oral hygiene
Sometimes, the yellow stains on your teeth are related to plaque and tartar build up. If you don’t properly brush and floss your teeth after eating, bacteria from food and drinks can stay on your teeth. Overtime, the plaque can harden into tartar, which needs to be removed by your dental professional.
Are Yellow Teeth Harmful?
Because it’s a myth that everyone should have pearly, white teeth, you shouldn’t be immediately alarmed if your teeth have a yellow or gray tint.4 Outside of any self-confidence issues or social assumptions, having less-than white teeth is quite common. It’s not necessarily a sign of poor dental health. However, you should consult with a dental provider if:4
- Your teeth turn an irregular color for an unknown reason
- Your teeth don’t return to their normal color even after you brush your teeth well
Your dental provider might ask you questions about your diet and dental hygiene to figure out what’s causing your teeth to change colors. Sometimes, your teeth can be restored to their natural color with a proper at home or professional cleaning.4 A severe change of color might need to be covered with fillings, veneers, or crowns.4 There are things you can do at home, and with the help of your dental provider, to lessen the yellow and brown stains on your teeth.
Ways to Remove Yellow Stains from Teeth
Some things you can do to try to remove extrinsic stains from your teeth are:1,5
- Brush your teeth using a whitening toothpaste. This toothpaste gives your enamel a mineral boost by enhancing natural mineral replenishment for strong enamel.
- Go to your dental provider for a professional cleaning.
How to Prevent Yellow Teeth from Returning
Once your teeth are back to their natural shade, there are some steps you can take to lower the risk of your teeth being stained and discolored in the future. To help prevent having yellow teeth again, you can:1
- Limit how much coffee, tea, wine, and soda you drink
- Use a straw while consuming acidic drinks
- Drink water or rinse your mouth after consuming teeth-staining drinks
- Limit how many high-acid foods you ingest
- Don’t smoke
- Practice proper dental hygiene by brushing your teeth in the morning and at night
- Floss daily
- Visit your dental provider as frequently as needed for proper cleanings and other dental care
