Dentist outlines seven primary causes of yellowing teeth and preventive measures

If you notice that your teeth are not as white and bright as you’d like, there could be multiple factors contributing to the yellowing, according to dental professionals.

Brushing your teeth twice daily alone isn’t sufficient to maintain their health.

Incorporating additional habits such as flossing, using mouthwash, and even sipping through straws to prevent staining are important daily practices.

But what if you follow all these tips and your teeth still appear dull and yellow?

Dentists from Mawson Dental Care have pinpointed seven causes for teeth discoloration, which might help you address the problem.

Unfortunately, aging affects more than just our skin; it also impacts our teeth.

As we grow older, the enamel on our teeth wears down, exposing the dentin beneath, which is naturally a pale yellow color.

Smoking poses a significant threat to maintaining white teeth, making quitting nicotine crucial for dental health.

The constituents of cigarettes, such as nicotine, tar, and tobacco, can lead to brown stains on your teeth.

Giving up smoking can bring considerable improvements to your dental health.

Experts agree that inadequate brushing leaves stains on your teeth.

Dentists refer to this as ‘extrinsic tooth staining,’ where food and drink discolor the outer layer of the teeth.

This situation is quite common, but the remedy is simple: consistently brush and floss.

Ironically, some dental treatments can also cause yellowing of teeth.

Materials like amalgam used in dental restorations might result in a ‘grayish-black tint.’

While not ideal, these treatments are often necessary for overall dental health.

While more common in children, certain medications can cause teeth to appear more yellow in adults as well.

This discoloration isn’t permanent, and there are several dental whitening treatments available, alongside natural methods.

An example is ‘oil pulling,’ a popular social media trend that involves swishing coconut oil around the mouth.

Certain health conditions can also lead to increased visibility of dentin, adding to the yellow appearance of your teeth.

For some, yellow teeth may be unavoidable due to genetics.

If you have naturally thicker enamel, your teeth might appear more yellow.

While enamel is crucial for protection against wear and tear, achieving whiter teeth might require options like veneers or composite bonding.