If you’re a little bit lax with your dental hygiene, yellowing teeth can be one of the first indicators that your oral health is starting to slip. However, there are many reasons your teeth could start to yellow, and not all of them have to do with how much you brush. Here’s a rundown of a few ways your teeth can become discolored and what you can do about it.
Genetics
Your teeth, like every part of your body, are part nature and part nurture. You can do a lot to change the color of your teeth, but the natural color of your enamel is innate to you. However, while genetics might make your teeth more prone to discoloring, consistent oral hygiene can overcome these factors.
Dentin
Dentin is the layer of your tooth between your enamel and your pulp. It’s darker than the outside of your teeth, so if the outer layer of enamel begins to thin, it can start to peek through. If it looks like there’s a brown splotch at the center of your tooth, you might be having this problem.
Smoking
Tobacco isn’t just bad for your lungs; the nicotine also leaves behind stains on the surface of your teeth. If you’re concerned about yellowing, try cutting back on your smoking habit.
Dark, Acidic Drinks
The particles in coffee, tea, and red wine that give them their dark color can cling to the teeth. Acidic drinks also erode your enamel, which makes it even easier for stains to become attached.
How to Whiten Your Teeth
Even though yellow teeth might not have any health effects, you may still prefer to keep your smile as white as possible. The easiest way to do this is to prevent your smile from yellowing in the first place but, as has been established, that isn’t always easy. If you’d like to brighten your smile, the best way is to talk to your dentist about their whitening solutions. Modern techniques can make your smile up to eight shades whiter within a single hour.
Finally, even if your yellow teeth aren’t due to anything you’ve done, reprioritizing your dental hygiene might prevent the issue from getting worse. Keeping up your brushing routine and avoiding bad habits will do wonders for the color of your smile.
About Our Practice
At Tylan Creek Family Dentistry, we want taking care of your teeth to be something that you want to do, not just something you have to do. Our office is designed to put you at ease and is furnished with the most advanced technology available. Whether you need a checkup, cleaning, or whitening, you’re bound to leave our office feeling better than when you went in. If you have any questions about how to keep your teeth white, we can be reached at our website or you can call our Simpsonville office at (864) 962-6671.