Yellow Teeth: Causes and Treatment

When it comes to healthy teeth, we’re sure many of you would argue they should be a bright, white color. It’s a little more complicated than that. In today’s world, where a bright, white smile is the norm, having yellow teeth has gotten a negative rap.

Many people have a problem with yellow or fading teeth. Bad habits, including smoking, drinking, and overconsumption of coffee, can cause teeth to get yellow and discolored. There are situations when a person’s teeth are stained because of inadequate oral hygiene. Dental problems can also cause discoloration of the teeth.

Causes

Yellow teeth are not a symptom of a significant medical problem. Your dazzling, white smile may have been snatched away from you, but it is possible to reclaim it and regain your confidence. Consider what causes yellowing and how to avoid or limit exposure to such items before getting started.

Genetic

Tooth discoloration can run in families. Your own teeth are likely to be yellow if one of your parents has yellow teeth. Usually, white teeth come in various natural hues ranging from light to dark in hue from reddish-brown to yellow to gray to reddish-gray.

  • Amelogenesis imperfecta: Small, discolored, pitted, or grooved teeth are symptoms of this disorder. Other dental anomalies can also occur. Primary (baby) teeth and permanent (adult) teeth might be affected by these conditions, which differ from person to person.
  • Dentinogenesis imperfecta: is a problem with the way teeth grow. Discoloration of the teeth (usually a blue-gray or yellow-brown tint) and translucent appearance are the hallmarks of this illness. Teeth are also more susceptible to wear, fracture, and loss since they are weaker than expected.

Diet

A pediatric dentist in Fredericksburg, VA said that our teeth can be stained by some meals and beverages that contain chemical components known as chromogens. Teeth stains can be exacerbated by foods and drinks high in tannin, a natural preservative. Acids can erode the enamel on your teeth, allowing stains to form.

  • Tea and coffee
  • Red wine
  • Cola
  • Fruit juices
  • Tomato-based sauces
  • Curry
  • Balsamic vinegar
  • Soy sauce
  • Berries
  • Beetroot

Health Condition

Illness can also alter the color of your teeth. When a child has a high fever from an infection at a young age, it is possible that their skin can turn yellow. Severe neonatal jaundice is another likely cause of teeth discoloration.

When children’s permanent teeth are still forming, falls or sports injuries can disrupt the production of tooth enamel, resulting in a grey look. Adults’ permanent teeth may become discolored due to nerve damage or chipped teeth from similar injuries. Excessive grinding of the teeth, especially at night, can wear away the outer layer of enamel, revealing the yellowish dentin beneath.

Poor Oral Hygiene

Your oral and dental health directly impacts your whole health and well-being. Dental cavities and gum disease can be caused by poor oral hygiene, linked to heart disease, cancer, and type 2 diabetes.

Keeping your teeth and gums in good health is a lifetime commitment. It’s easier to avoid costly dental procedures and long-term health consequences if you start brushing, flossing, and limiting your sugar intake as soon as possible.

Medication

Tetracycline and doxycycline are medications that have been shown to discolor teeth when administered to children whose teeth are still forming (before age 8). Teeth stains can also be caused by mouth rinses and washes containing chlorhexidine and cetylpyridinium chloride. Antihistamines (such as Benadryl), antipsychotic medications, and blood pressure medications contribute to tooth discoloration.

Treatment

As we grow older, our teeth naturally lose their whiteness. To get rid of yellow teeth, many people turn to over-the-counter medicines. However, which methods are the most efficient?

Options for treatment are numerous, but not everyone is a good candidate for every therapy. The amount of lightening your teeth will experience directly proportional to the type of stain you have and how long it takes to remove it. Be aware that the FDA does not approve whitening products, which is why it’s essential to consult your dentist before using any whitener.

If you’ve undergone dental work like crowns, bonding, veneers, fillings, implants, or bridges, you should exercise caution when using teeth whiteners. Natural teeth can be whitened with whiteners, while artificial teeth cannot be whitened. To put it another way, employing whiteners can result in some teeth getting whiter but not matching well with dental work done on other teeth.

In the end, it is always essential to consult with a professional during your regular dental checkups.

Professional whitening

One of the fastest ways to whiten your teeth is to have a dental professional like an orthodontist in Stafford Virginia, utilize professional whitening products and procedures in the comfort of your own home. An application of hydrogen peroxide will be made by your dentist.

Some items may need to be heated and illuminated with a specific light to speed up the bleaching process. It is possible to get whiteners with a more significant concentration of whitener, desensitizer, and tailored tray for better adherence in other professional products. In the hands of an experienced dentist, the treatment is entirely safe.

There are no specific eligibility requirements for teeth whitening, despite being a minimally invasive technique. However, not everyone is a good candidate for whitening. Poor oral hygiene can impede the effectiveness of whitening procedures. After corrective treatment for gum disease or tooth decay, teeth whitening may be an option for you. Extreme discomfort could be caused by whitening products on teeth that are in poor health. Intrinsic stains (tooth discoloration) that affect the dentin layers beneath the surface of the teeth can make whitening ineffective. Whitening can’t solve all discoloration concerns (such as those associated with tetracycline). Additional procedures, such as veneers, may be required in these circumstances.

Dental Veneers

This type of surgery requires more time and effort than teeth-whitening. The dentist must remove some enamel from the surface of the teeth before applying veneers. Because tooth enamel cannot regrow, this procedure will leave a lasting impression on the teeth. When a veneer is applied, it replaces some enamel on a tooth’s surface.

Before considering veneers, a patient must have healthy teeth and enamel. Dentists should be careful when they remove enamel from a tooth that has been damaged. It is still possible for cavities to form between and under veneers, putting a weakening tooth at risk.

After the enamel is removed, imprints are taken for porcelain veneers. They are sent to a lab where they are used to make veneers for your teeth. Temporary veneers may be given to the patient due to this lengthy procedure. Next, the dentist will apply the veneers to the teeth, polish and shape them, and bind them in place for a more natural appearance and feel.

Some reminders

We lose the white outer layer of tooth enamel as we age, revealing the yellower dentin layer beneath it. As a result, foods and beverages that damage and discolor or stain enamel may cause the dentin to be revealed as you age, as shown in the accompanying images. Whitening treatment can last up to a year if you consume and drink non-staining foods and drinks and use whiteners wisely.

There is the potential for folks to go overboard with whitening. Too much, too often, or too concentrated whitening products can cause teeth to appear translucent, with a bluish or blue-gray hue as a result.