{"id":1107,"date":"2019-08-27T09:58:42","date_gmt":"2019-08-27T09:58:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.riversidedentalpractice.co.uk\/?p=1107"},"modified":"2024-11-04T15:56:00","modified_gmt":"2024-11-04T15:56:00","slug":"the-causes-of-yellow-teeth-and-ways-to-brighten-your-smile","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.riversidedentalpractice.co.uk\/blog\/the-causes-of-yellow-teeth-and-ways-to-brighten-your-smile\/","title":{"rendered":"The Causes of Yellow Teeth and Ways To Brighten Your Smile"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n

\r\nUnfortunately, we Brits are\r\noften the butt of jokes when it comes to our teeth, mocked by\r\nAmericans for not having the \u2018Hollywood Smile\u2019 they hold so dear.\r\nPerhaps it\u2019s the amount of tea we drink, or the number of pints we\r\nenjoy on the weekend, but either way, dental hygiene is most\r\ndefinitely an issue here in the UK. In 2018, a survey found that 40%\r\nof British people are unhappy\r\nwith their teeth<\/a>\r\nand this was predominantly due to cosmetic concerns such as the size,\r\nshape and colour of our teeth. Whilst crooked teeth can be fixed with\r\northodontic treatment in our teens, yellowing and discolouration can\r\naffect us throughout our lifetime.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Let\u2019s\r\nbe honest, yellowing teeth are never a good look. They can make us\r\nfeel insecure about talking and smiling, for fear of people noticing\r\nthe discolouration. But why do our teeth stain yellow? Once they\u2019ve\r\nchanged colour, is there any way of reversing the effects? How can\r\nour dentists help us to brighten our smiles?<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

In\r\nthis blog, we answer all of these questions and more, offering a\r\ndefinitive guide to the causes of tooth discolouration and what we\r\ncan do to keep our pearly whites looking\u2026 well, pearly white!<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The causes of yellow\r\nteeth<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Whilst\r\neveryone\u2019s teeth are different and slight yellowing can be a\r\ngenetic attribute, there are some things that directly cause\r\nunnaturally yellow teeth. When your teeth are stained, this is\r\nbecause the enamel (the protective white coating) has worn away,\r\nrevealing the discoloured layer beneath, known as dentin. Let\u2019s\r\ntake a look at what the main causes of yellowing teeth are:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Smoking<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

One\r\nof the top causes is smoking cigarettes, cigars or a pipe. This is\r\nbecause the tar and nicotine in tobacco products creates extremely\r\nstubborn stains on our teeth. You\u2019ll be able to spot a lifelong\r\nsmoker by their yellow and sometimes even brown teeth, as well as a\r\nfew missing; smoking can weaken the gums too. As a rule, smoking is\r\none of the worst things for your oral health.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Diet<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

What\r\nwe eat and drink affects so many aspects of our bodies- teeth\r\nincluded. Certain foods and drinks will discolour your teeth,\r\nparticularly those that are high in tannins, for example, red wine,\r\ncoffee, tea, fizzy drinks, curry spices, tomato sauces, berries,\r\nbalsamic vinegar and soy sauce. As with all aspects of your diet, you\r\nneed to stick to the \u2018everything in moderation\u2019 rule. One or two\r\ncoffees a few times a week won\u2019t cause a dramatic change in colour,\r\nbut after three or four coffees every day for a prolonged period, you\r\nmay start to develop a yellow smile.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Illness and\r\nmedication<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Unfortunately,\r\nsome illnesses lead to tooth discolouration if they directly affect\r\nthe strength of your enamel. On the other hand, some treatments and\r\nmedications note yellowing teeth as a side effect. For example,\r\npatients undergoing chemotherapy for head or neck cancers may notice\r\nstaining. Equally, people who use inhalers for asthma every day, or\r\ntake medication for high blood pressure may also notice yellowing.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Poor oral hygiene<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

If\r\nyou don\u2019t brush your teeth for two minutes twice a day as\r\nrecommended, your smile may lose its brightness. You should also\r\nfloss and rinse to manage plaque buildup and not just focus on\r\nbrushing. Using cheap dental hygiene products that don\u2019t do the job\r\nwill also cause yellowing and discolouration. \r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Whilst\r\nyou need to look after your mouth with quality dental hygiene\r\nproducts, it also pays to be aware of excessive fluoride exposure\r\n(contained in most toothpastes) as this can lead to yellowing. Whilst\r\nfluoride is used to prevent tooth decay so should be applied to your\r\nteeth regularly via toothpaste, it\u2019s good to use it in moderation-\r\nparticularly for children. Overexposure can cause fluorosis, which\r\nleads to more deep-rooted yellowing. It\u2019s important to check the\r\nfluoride level of your toothpaste and stay within the recommended\r\nranges:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n