When you smile at yourself in front of the mirror, do you worry because you have yellow teeth? You might wonder why your pearly whites are becoming yellow. You take really good care of your teeth. What are you doing wrong?
Causes of Tooth Discoloration
Most people worry that their yellow teeth are very off-putting. They are also afraid that others might think that they don’t take good care of their teeth just because these are slightly discolored. But having yellow teeth is not necessarily due to poor dental hygiene. What you should know is that there are many reasons why teeth turn yellow. Read on for some interesting factors that contribute to teeth discoloration.
1. Heredity
Genetics is one factor. If your parents have yellow teeth, chances are that your teeth might turn yellowish too as you grow older. There are also times when children not only inherit the color of their parents’ teeth, but also their susceptibility to certain dental defects.
2. Lifestyle
– Food and Drinks
As you get older, the enamel of your tooth also becomes thinner and more prone to cracking or chipping. Due to this, certain types of food and drinks can now easily stain your teeth. Foods, such as blueberries and dark sauces, as well as beverages, like tea, coffee and dark beer, should be avoided. But if you really are craving for black coffee, indulge yourself. Just make sure to brush your teeth or gargle afterwards to lessen the staining.
– Smoking
Smoking is another factor. Those who smoke and chew tobacco will experience more severe staining as compared with cigarette smokers. Also, cigarettes that contain more nicotine and tar can worsen teeth discoloration.
3. Supplements, Vitamins and Medicines
Supplements or vitamins containing high amounts of iron might cause discoloration. Certain prescribed medications are also known culprits of why teeth become yellow. A few examples are: antihistamines, antipsychotics, and medicines that manage high blood pressure. As much as possible, doctors also avoid giving certain antibiotics to young kids, especially to those whose teeth have not yet fully developed. For example, doctors avoid prescribing tetracyclines and doxycyclines as these can make teeth yellow.
4. Materials Used in Dentistry
Sometimes, dental materials can stain teeth as well or the colors might be different from the natural color of one’s teeth. Those that contain silver sulfide are especially noticeable as these can make teeth look gray-black.
5. Poor Dental Hygiene
Poor dental hygiene is often blamed for the yellowing of teeth. Though it is not the number one cause, it is still a huge factor. When you do not regularly brush and floss your teeth, plaque will develop. Substances that stain teeth will also build up. All of these will make your teeth become more yellow.
6. Old Age
As mentioned earlier, the tooth enamel gradually becomes thinner as a person becomes older. When this occurs, the next layer of the tooth becomes more exposed. This is called dentin, and it is naturally yellow.
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Claire Patel is a freelancer who regularly blogs about health-related matters. Many of her articles offer tips about how to improve overall health care, including dental care, and these materials have been used by a number of Forsyth dental clinics.
A healthy body will put a smile on everyone’s face, go to www.BetterhealthInnovations.com for all of your health and wellness needs.