A bad smile ruins a pretty face, right?
You see yellow teeth and assume that person doesn’t have good oral hygiene methods. When in reality, tooth discoloration is more common than you think. And teeth can easily turn yellow.
Often, everyday habits are the main cause of tooth discoloration.
Fortunately, there are ways to treat tooth discoloration. One of the most popular methods is teeth whitening. Done at a dental office or in your home, teeth whitening products help remove stains.
Continue reading and learn more about the causes of tooth discoloration and how teeth whitening can help.
About Yellow Teeth
Look at your teeth — are they yellow or just dull? While most people don’t have that yellow-stained look, a dull smile is all too common. Depending on certain factors such as diet and lifestyle, your teeth lose that natural white hue.
Tooth discoloration falls into two categories: extrinsic and intrinsic staining. Extrinsic is staining on the outside, or enamel, of your teeth. Staining the enamel is easy, which is why most people have extrinsic staining.
Intrinsic staining occurs within the tooth and even affects the underlying dentin.
This staining is often caused by severe factors, such as certain medications. Intrinsic staining also occurs in children on certain medications and who have poor dental hygiene.
Tooth Discoloration Causes
You will be surprised how many factors cause discoloration. Diet and lifestyle choices are the most common factors. But even good dental hygiene practices, such as the use of fluoride and mouthwash, discolor your tooth enamel.
Here are some of the most common reasons for tooth discoloration:
Diet
Food that’s high in tannins causes yellow teeth. This includes red wine, coffee, and soda. Tannins interfere with your tooth enamel, causing discoloration.
Cigarettes
Smoking is one of the most common causes of tooth discoloration. Yellow smoking stains are stubborn and difficult to remove. The only sure way to remove these stains is to refrain from smoking and use teeth whitening products.
Illness
Tooth discoloration is a common symptom of certain medical conditions and medications.
Even medical treatments such as chemotherapy can result in stained teeth. When taking any medication that causes discoloration, make sure you practice a teeth whitening regimen.
Dental Hygiene
Often, stained teeth are genetic. But those who practice poor oral hygiene will almost always develop teeth stains. If your teeth are stained, whitening techniques are the only way to remove the stains.
Also, certain oral hygiene methods such as too much fluoride cause stains. However, this is more common in children than adults.
Do You Whiten Your Teeth?
There are many ways to develop yellow teeth. Fortunately, there are multiple teeth whitening products on the market. At-home products such as whitening strips are a convenient way to develop a whiter smile.
For more severe stains, it’s best you seek a dentist. Whether you decide to practice teeth whitening at home or with a professional, always consult with a dentist and find the right method for you.
Contact us if you’re in San Diego and want whiter teeth.