If your teeth are yellowed, it could mean you’re due for a cleaning. However, if you’ve been putting it off, you may be wondering what the cause could be. After all, you’ve been good about flossing and brushing regularly.
When it comes to yellow teeth, the cause could be something as simple as drinking too much coffee. However, it will be something you can fix more often than not – avoiding certain foods and cleaning with the right tools.
Read on to learn about the most common yellow teeth causes. Find one that applies to you and discover how to fix yellow teeth at home.
Yellow Teeth Causes: Poor Dental Hygiene
It’s pretty simple: if you don’t take care of your teeth, they will turn yellow. This is because the teeth are covered in a hard outer layer of enamel, which protects the softer inner layers of the teeth. If you don’t brush and floss regularly, the plaque and bacteria in your mouth will start to eat away at the enamel, causing it to be yellow.
Poor dental hygiene can also cause gum disease. Gum disease is an infection of the gums that can cause the gums to pull away from the teeth. This can make the teeth look longer and cause the teeth to be yellow. If it’s been a long time since your last dental visit, it is time to book an appointment. Check out Holly Springs dentists to get a professional cleaning and evaluation.
Smoking Cigarettes
Smoking is one of the leading causes of yellow teeth. The nicotine and tar in cigarettes are dark and can stain your teeth.
The constant exposure dries out the teeth and gums, leading to yellowing. In addition, smoking reduces saliva production, which means that the mouth can not wash away much of the staining debris.
Reducing saliva in your mouth can also lead to plaque build-up on your teeth. Plaque is a yellowish substance that can further discolor your teeth.
Smoke stains can be tough to clean and may need professional cleaning. You should check out a teeth whitening timeline to get a better idea.
Eating Certain Foods & Drinks
When it comes to staining teeth, some foods are worse than others. Coffee, tea, and red wine are well-known for causing yellowing, but other foods can have the same effect.
Balsamic vinegar, for example, is known to darken teeth over time. Soy sauce and tomato sauce can also cause staining, as can dark fruits like blueberries and blackberries. Curries and other spices can also leave their mark on teeth.
Foods high in acidity can cause the enamel on teeth to break down, revealing the yellow dentin underneath. Foods high in sugar can also cause tooth decay, leading to yellowing teeth.
Make Your Pearly Whites Shine
If you’re hoping to achieve pearly white teeth, it’s essential to be aware of the various yellow teeth causes in the first place. Once you know what causes yellow teeth, you can take steps to avoid those things and keep your teeth looking their best.
It’s time to stop putting up with yellow teeth! If you are seeking state-of-the-art teeth whitening techniques, check out our blog!