There is a lot of talk about getting whiter teeth, but in reality, healthy teeth come in a range of colors and they aren’t typically all-that white! Natural teeth can be off-white, pale yellow, and even a little pink.
If you happen to consult a dentist in Virginia Beach about teeth whitening, they will probably show you a tooth color scale that illustrates these variations. The goal is to create a baseline for your current shade and then set some realistic expectations for whitening results.
Keeping up your teeth-whitening results is important, but it isn’t easy. Some teeth-staining things are easier to avoid, like certain foods and beverages. Others, however, are not in your control, including genetics.
Today we’re going to talk about the things that lead to yellow teeth, including extrinsic and intrinsic factors.
Extrinsic Causes of Teeth Discoloration
While many things can contribute to teeth discoloration, they can basically be put in two categories: extrinsic and intrinsic. Extrinsic factors of teeth discoloration come from the outside, like the things we consume.
Dental hygiene habits
Brushing, flossing and seeing a dentist regularly are key to keeping your teeth healthy and preventing discoloration. People that have poor oral hygiene habits, including those that skip the dentist, are far more likely to develop unsightly teeth discoloration.
If you are avoiding the dentist, you should consult a specialist dental service that offers painless sleep dentistry in Beverly Hills, or wherever you live. They can offer sedation options for a more enjoyable experience.
Tobacco Use
Smoking and chewing tobacco are connected to many negative effects, including gum disease. They both also contribute to yellow, discolored teeth.
The discoloration gets worse the longer you use them. Quitting smoking is the best solution, but if you’re not ready to ditch cigarettes, you’ll want to step up your oral care routine.
This means brushing and flossing diligently, at least twice a day. Tobacco users might also find that their dentists recommend more frequent visits than non-smokers, as often as three to four times a year.
Foods that Discolor Teeth
Some foods, and ingredients in prepared foods, can discolor your teeth. It is important to rinse and brush after exposing your teeth to any offending item. Some of the foods you’ll want to be careful of include:
- Apples
- Berries and all brightly colored fruits
- Candy and sweets, especially gummy, sticky versions
- Curry of all type
- Potatoes of all type
- Tomato sauce containing foods
How do you know if food will stain your teeth or not? A rule of thumb is that if the item could stain a tablecloth, it can also stain your teeth. But that isn’t always the case; after all, you might have noticed a couple of things in the list that surprised you, like apples and potatoes.
How do they do it? Apples and potatoes are secret causes of discoloration, and they do it in an unusual way.
Instead of having a vibrant color that can leave deposits and discolor teeth, they contain a chemical that affects your teeth’s enamel. This chemical is responsible for ripening the food, but can also discolor your teeth.
Drinks that Discolor Teeth
Most people know that coffee, tea, soda and red wine can stain teeth. However, there are other drinks that are just as bad when it comes to discoloration.
For example, some fruit juices and sports drinks can lead to stains. Additionally, carbonated beverages, even if they are clear, can contribute to staining by wearing down your natural enamel.
The same is true of herbal and white tea.
Of course, the best way to keep your teeth from discoloration is to simply avoid drinks that cause staining. However, that’s difficult to do so you can take steps to limit their negative impact.
For example, if you drink things through a straw, you limit how much of your teeth are exposed to things that stain. This doesn’t work for coffee — who wants to sip hot coffee through a straw — but it does for sodas, iced coffees, and cold teas.
You can also be sure to brush after exposure and rinse with a revitalizing mouthwash that is designed to protect enamel.
Intrinsic Causes of Teeth Discoloration
Intrinsic causes of teeth discoloration are things that happen within the teeth, like diseases, injuries, age and even genetics.
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- Disease and Illness: There are medical problems that lead to teeth discoloration. Some medical procedures and treatments can contribute as well, like radiation and chemotherapy. Some medications are also offenders. In the mid-20th century a link between taking tetracycline, an antibiotic, and gray teeth discoloration, was noticed. This was more prominent in babies whose mothers took the antibiotic while pregnant.
- Disease and Illness: There are medical problems that lead to teeth discoloration. Some medical procedures and treatments can contribute as well, like radiation and chemotherapy. Some medications are also offenders. In the mid-20th century a link between taking tetracycline, an antibiotic, and gray teeth discoloration, was noticed. This was more prominent in babies whose mothers took the antibiotic while pregnant.
- Age and genetics: The natural aging process includes the wearing away of the enamel, which leads to increased yellowing of the teeth. Some people also simply start out with less bright and white teeth. There are also rare health problems that leave teeth discolored, like dentinogenesis imperfecta and hereditary opalescent dentin.
- Eating disorders: People struggling with eating disorders are also more prone to a range of dental issues. This isn’t just due to lack of nutrition, but because frequent vomiting exposes teeth enamel to acids which damage enamel.
- Drug use and addiction: Drugs can cause teeth discoloration in a number of ways. Long-term use of illegal street drugs can lead to a wide range of health and dental issues which include unhealthy gums, decaying teeth, and teeth loss. On the other hand, some legal and doctor-prescribed medications that cause dry mouth leave you at risk for enamel loss. Talk to your doctor and Gig Harbor dentist if your prescription medications are causing dry mouth.
While whiter teeth may be the goal, it is important to understand what has caused the discoloration in the first place. This is especially true if the discoloration issue stems from an underlying health problem.
Many times, dentists offering teeth whitening procedures start by going over what causes yellow, discolored teeth. This helps you understand the process and gives you the knowledge you need to reduce additional staining after the procedure. Many over-the-counter tooth whitening products include similar educational information.
Related Posts:
- Teeth Whitening: Is It for Everyone?
- The Best Way to Whiten Your Teeth
- Fun Ways to Get Your Kids to Brush Their Teeth
- 4 Tips for a Whiter Smile
- 7 Tips for Getting a Smile That You Can Smile About
Sources
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/10958-tooth-discoloration
https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/ss/slideshow-foods-stain-teeth
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/07/060731140948.htm
https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/tooth-discoloration
https://www.livescience.com/54420-yellow-teeth.html
https://americanaddictioncenters.org/health-complications-addiction/dental-health