Yellow teeth can be a common struggle for many patients, and one that we often see our patients ask questions about when they visit our office. The reason for yellow teeth can range from diet to medicine to genetics. But, there are ways to restore teeth to a radiant white while also restoring confidence to your smile.

The team at Snodgrass-King Dental in Middle Tennessee is here to share the top 5 causes for yellow teeth and ways to avoid them.

Top 5 Causes for Yellow Teeth

Before we look into the ways to avoid and treat teeth staining or yellow teeth, let’s look at some of the most common causes of yellow teeth. This information can serve as a guide as to what you may want to limit or avoid for the sake of a brighter smile. Here are some of those top causes:

Diet

Obviously, diet plays a big role in the appearance and even quality of our teeth. Foods that are high in acidity or highly pigmented can erode the tooth’s enamel (the tooth’s protective outer layer), revealing the dentin, or the middle layer of the tooth that has a natural yellow or brown hue. Here are some foods and beverages that you may want to limit if you’re wanting to keep your teeth white:

  • Coffee: While coffee can be a common way to increase our energy levels, it can also stain our teeth over time. This is due to a chemical in coffee that can cause stains easily, think of that stubborn coffee stain you still haven’t gotten out of your favorite white shirt – the same goes for your teeth! This happens because your enamel has tiny pores, and the chemicals in coffee can seep into these pores and deposit color that eventually creates stains.
  • Red Wine: Red wine is a popular drink of choice when paired with a nice steak, but you may want to opt for a different beverage next time when you’re wanting to avoid stained teeth. Red wine is known for its vivid red pigment (known as anthocyanins) that can create a yellow appearance on the teeth as the tooth’s enamel can easily absorb it – remember those sneaking enamel pores we mentioned earlier? It’s also worth noting that red wine is known for its acidic levels, which love to eat away at enamel, revealing the dentin layer of a tooth.
  • Citrus Fruits: Fruits like oranges, grapefruits, and lemons can be tasty, but their high acidity can also erode the teeth’s enamel. However, fruits like oranges are a rich source of Vitamin C, which can help support gum health. So, you can still enjoy a few orange slices while keeping in mind that too much of an orange’s acid can impact your bright smile.
  • Processed Sugars: Yellow teeth can develop over time from an overconsumption of processed sugars. The bacteria in your mouth actually convert processed sugar into acid, which we know can erode the enamel. The appearance of yellow teeth arises when this enamel is weakened, giving way to the tooth’s dentin, which has that yellowish hue no one wants! This is why it’s best to avoid or limit processed sugars to not only prevent yellow teeth, but also cavities!

Genetics

Genetics also play a key role in the development of yellow teeth. Your genetics actually influence the shape, structure, and even color of your teeth. And the level of thickness of your enamel? Yup, also determined by your genetics! With this in mind, it can be helpful to know if you had a parent who was prone to enamel erosion, teeth staining, or yellow teeth, and take that into consideration when it comes to your oral health! If your parents had thinner tooth enamel, then you may need to be more mindful of your brushing habits and limit the foods that can weaken the enamel.

Lifestyle Choices

Lifestyle choices and factors can also impact the color of your teeth. From smoking to going a few days without consistently brushing your teeth, you may find the brightness of your smile fading. Here are some lifestyle choices that can impact your teeth’s enamel, leading to yellow teeth:

  • Smoking: Nicotine and tar are both products found in cigarettes that can stain the surface of your teeth, creating a yellowish or brownish hue.
  • Poor Oral Hygiene: Without a consistent and dedicated oral routine, plaque and bacteria can easily and quickly build up on the teeth, leading to plaque buildup. This buildup can harden, which creates tartar a substance that looks yellow or brown on the teeth.

Medications

Medications have also been shown to cause yellow teeth, such as antibiotics, beta-blockers, and diuretics. The reason for this is usually due to the substance in the medication binding to the teeth or causing dry mouth, which can increase the risk of tooth decay and discoloration. Talk to your dentist if you’re taking any medications that you believe are causing mouth dryness or tooth discoloration to see if you have additional options!

Wear and Tear

Daily wear and tear on the teeth from chewing, brushing, and even tooth grinding can also impact the color of your teeth. Over time, the enamel can thin, revealing the yellow colored dentin layer. The exposure of the dentin layer also puts the teeth at risk for more than just discoloration, but also decay and gum disease. This process of the enamel thinning over time is normal, especially as we age.

How to Treat Yellow or Stained Teeth

Now that we have an idea of some of the leading causes of yellow teeth and teeth staining, let’s look at the ways to prevent this from happening and ways to reverse it!

At Home

If you haven’t already, try to establish a daily oral routine. This means brushing your teeth in the morning and also at night, in addition to flossing. Daily brushing and flossing are crucial, as they remove the day’s buildup of plaque and bacteria from eating and drinking.

Another tip to prevent yellow teeth is to brush your teeth if you do indulge in foods or beverages that you know can cause yellow teeth, like candies, wine, or citrus fruits. The longer acid or bacteria sit on your tooth, the more time it has to seep into your enamel’s pores, eventually giving way to its dentin layer.

You may also want to try limiting your intake of processed sugars, red wines, and coffee to decrease your risk of yellow teeth over time.

You may also want to consider quitting the use of tobacco products for the sake of your overall health. If you need resources for quitting, be sure to connect with your doctor for guidance and options to help you quit!

And what about those at-home white strips? Well, it’s best to leave the whitening to the professionals, as some of the at-home whitening strips have the potential to further weaken the enamel layer.

In the Office

If you have committed to a daily oral routine, have limited trigger foods, and are not partaking in tobacco use, but still can’t seem to reverse the look of yellow teeth, then connect with your local dentist.

In-office teeth whitening procedures utilize whitening agents like hydrogen peroxide to safely remove staining and discoloration from the teeth without harming the enamel. Most procedures use lights or lasers to target the discoloration and typically are around 30 – 60 minutes, meaning it can be an easy lunch break appointment.

Beyond in-office teeth whitening, it’s also important to see your dentist at least yearly for a teeth cleaning to ensure any stubborn plaque buildup is removed and to check your teeth’s enamel to prevent future complications.

Schedule Your Yearly Teeth Cleaning with Snodgrass-King Dental

The best way to keep your teeth bright is by seeing your dentist yearly for a cleaning! At Snodgrass-King Dental in Middle Tennessee, we see both children and adults with the mission of keeping all ages in good oral health to keep their smiles lasting a lifetime.

Call us today to schedule your next tooth cleaning with us, and to schedule a teeth-whitening session if you’re looking to reverse signs of tooth discoloration. We look forward to hearing from you!