Why Your Teeth Are Yellow And Why That's Not So Bad
If you have yellow teeth, you've probably gotten comments and insinuations about your dental hygiene, even if you brush and floss diligently. Having yellow teeth is often conflated with having dirty teeth, but you don't need to feel so self-conscious about your smile. There are many reasons you might have yellow teeth, and why your teeth could actually be in perfect shape despite it.
Age
The older you get, the yellower your teeth will appear. There are some exceptions, but many adults with very white teeth have probably seen a cosmetic dentist to bleach their teeth. This is because as you get older, the enamel on your teeth starts to fade, and the enamel is what gives your teeth their white appearance. Enamel also doesn't regenerate. Part of what can make your enamel fade is by brushing your teeth too hard, so don't try to brush away stains.
Medications
A wide variety of medications can cause your teeth to yellow, whether by some side effect after consumption or by physically staining your teeth. These include some antibiotics like tetracycline and doxycycline, mouth rinses and washes, antihistamines, antipsychotics and drugs for high blood pressure. If you take any of these on even a semi-regular basis, there's a chance you may experience some type of tooth discoloration.
Food and Drink
The things you eat and drink, even if you brush your teeth after consuming them, can affect the color of your teeth. Specifically, look out for sodas, coffees, teas and wines, as well as fruits and vegetables like apples and potatoes. Just don't take that as an excuse not to eat healthy; proper nutrition is necessary to keep your teeth, gums and mouth strong, which is more important than keeping them pretty.
Genetics
Genetics can and does play a role in your dental health. You may have duller or thinner enamel than other people, and no amount of dental hygiene can fix that. This is also how some people can get away with not brushing for a week and never get cavities while others seem to get them if they slip up even once.
Reducing Stains
Even given all the other possible causes, there is still the chance that you could either have poor dental hygiene or simply practice a few bad habits. While it's difficult to reverse tooth stains on your own, you can work on how you take care of your teeth and prevent them from staining as fast or as easily.
- Drink Water: If you don't drink a lot of water, now is a good time to start. Even by drinking some water after every meal, you can wash away many of the acids that cause enamel decay and tooth discoloration.
- Brush Later: Instead of brushing immediately after eating, wait about an hour. The acids on the foods you eat weaken your enamel, and if you brush before your saliva can strengthen it, you'll be scrubbing weakened teeth.
If you want to fix stained teeth, you can look into whitening toothpaste, but also consider seeing a dentist to get your teeth bleached. It's not unhealthy for your teeth and can be safer than many at-home solutions. Contact a clinic like Family Dental Center TriCities, PC for more information.
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