Discover the most common causes of yellow teeth and find effective solutions to return the brightness to your smile.

Yellow teeth, also known as dental discoloration, can occur for several reasons. When the outer layer of the tooth, known as enamel, wears out or is damaged, the underlying layer called dentine becomes more visible, which causes the teeth to seem yellow. In addition, certain lifestyles and health conditions can contribute to the discoloration of the teeth.

1. Bad oral hygiene: inadequate practices of dental care, such as brushing and use of irregular dental thread, can cause the accumulation of plaque and tartar on the surface of the teeth. This accumulation not only favors bacterial proliferation, but also causes teeth to seem yellow.
2. Tobacco consumption: smoking or consuming smokeless tobacco products can stain the enamel of the teeth, giving them a yellowish tone. Nicotine and tar present in tobacco can penetrate porous enamel, causing the discoloration of lon g-term teeth.

Citation: “The consumption of certain foods and drinks can also contribute to yellowing the teeth.”

In addition, the consumption of certain foods and beverages can also contribute to the yellowing of the teeth. Dark drinks, such as coffee, tea, red wine and tail soft drinks, contain pigments called chromogens that can adhere to the surface of the enamel and cause spots over time. Acid foods and beverages, such as citrus and soft drinks, can erode enamel and expose the yellowish dentin underneath. In addition, some medications, such as antibiotics such as tetracycline, when taken during teeth development, can cause intrinsic discoloration, resulting in yellowish teeth permanently.

It is important to keep in mind that yellow teeth can also indicate underlying dental health problems such as enamel hypoplasia, imperfect dentinogenesis or dental fluorosis. If you are concerned about the color of your teeth, it is recommended to consult with a dentistry professional who can evaluate your oral health and offer you the appropriate treatment options.

Causes of Yellow Teeth

1. poor oral hygiene: One of the main causes of yellow teeth is inappropriate dental hygiene. Do not brush your teeth and not use dental thread regularly can cause the accumulation of plaque and tartar, which over time can stain and discolor teeth.

1. Keep good oral hygiene habits brushing your teeth at least twice a day with a teeth with fluoride.
2. Do not forget to use tooth thread daily to remove the plate from between the teeth and along the gum line.
3. Visit your dentist regularly to make professional cleansing that eliminate difficult stains and avoid discoloration.

According to the American Dental Association (ADA), poor oral hygiene can cause yellow teeth and increase the risk of developing gum disease.

2. Food and drinks: certain foods and drinks can contribute to the yellowing of the teeth due to their coloring properties. Among the most common culprits are coffee, tea, red wine, soft drinks and dark fruits, such as berries.

Poor Oral Hygiene: A Leading Cause of Yellow Teeth

The plate is a sticky film that is formed on the teeth and contains a high concentration of bacteria. If it is not treated, the plate hardens and becomes tartar, which is more difficult to eliminate and can cause the discoloration of the teeth. Plate and tartar bacteria produce acids that gradually erode the enamel, the external protective layer of the teeth. As a result, the underlying dentin, which is naturally yellow, becomes more visible, causing teeth to seem yellowish.

Bad mouth hygiene practices, such as irregular brushing and rare professional cleaning, can contribute to plate and tartar formation, which causes yellow teeth. In addition, certain life habits such as smoking, excessive consumption of coffee or tea and inadequate hydration can further exacerbate dental discoloration.

Factors Contributing to Poor Oral Hygiene

• Inadequate or short brushing technique
• Omit the use of dental thread
• Consume tobacco products
• Consume food and drinks high in sugar and acids
• Do not visit the dentist regularly

It is important to address the poor oral hygiene promptly to prevent teeth from continuing yellowish and possible dental complications. Maintaining a constant oral care routine, which includes regular brushing with a dentifric paste with fluorine, the use of dental thread and mouth rinses, is essential to remove the plate and maintain oral health. In addition, visiting the dentist to undergo professional cleansing and reviews every six months is crucial to prevent and treat teeth.

Consuming Staining Foods and Drinks

Foods that stain:

• Coffee
• Tea
• Red wine
• Line
• Dark chocolate
• Berries

These foods are rich in chromogens, which are highly pigmented molecules that can easily adhere to the tooth surface. Additionally, the high acidity of some staining foods can erode tooth enamel, making it even easier for pigments to adhere.

Drinks that stain:

1. Coffee
2. black tea
3. Red wine
4. Line
5. Fruit juices (such as grape or blueberry)
6. Sport drinks
7. Carbonated drinks

Like staining foods, these drinks contain chromogens that can penetrate tooth enamel and cause yellowing. Additionally, the acids present in many of these drinks can weaken enamel, making it more susceptible to stains.

Important note: Although avoiding or limiting consumption of foods and beverages that stain teeth can help prevent yellowing, it is essential to maintain a consistent oral hygiene routine. Regular brushing, flossing, and dental checkups are crucial to maintaining overall dental health and combating tooth discoloration.

Smoking and Tobacco Use

Smoking and tobacco use have harmful effects on dental health:

1. 1. Nicotine and tar: Nicotine and tar found in cigarettes and tobacco products are very staining substances. These substances can easily adhere to tooth enamel, causing yellowish stains that are difficult to remove.

2. 2. Decreased saliva production: Smoking and consuming tobacco can cause a decrease in saliva production. Saliva plays a vital role in maintaining oral health by removing food particles and neutralizing harmful acids. When saliva production is reduced, it allows stains to accumulate on the teeth, leading to discoloration.

3. 3. Gum disease: Smoking and tobacco use are the main risk factors for gum disease. Gum disease can cause the gums to recede, exposing the roots of the teeth. These exposed areas are more prone to staining and yellowing.

Table: Effects of smoking on dental health

Yellow Teeth Causes: Certain Medications

There are several kinds of medications that have been associated with the discoloration of the teeth. These medications can directly stain the teeth or affect their development, causing yellowing or other perceptible discoloration. A common class of medicines known to cause spots on the teeth are tetracycline antibiotics. These antibiotics are widely used to treat bacterial infections and can cause yellow or grayish brown spots on developing teeth when used during pregnancy or in children under 8 years.

• Tetracycline antibiotics
• Antihistamines
• Antipsychotics

1. Tetracycline antibiotics
2. Antihistamines
3. Antipsychotics

Important: Tetracycline antibiotics, usually used to treat bacterial infections, have been related to the appearance of spots on the teeth. Avoid the use of these antibiotics during pregnancy or in children under 8 years to prevent yellow or gray brown of developing teeth.

Aging and Natural Tooth Color

As we get older, the enamel of our teeth wears out naturally, exposing the dentin underneath. The dentin, which by nature is yellowish, becomes more visible as the enamel becomes finer. In addition to the loss of enamel, our teeth can also be stained over time due to various factors such as diet, tobacco consumption and certain medications. These external spots can contribute to the yellowish appearance of our teeth and can be difficult to eliminate without the intervention of a professional. However, it is important to keep in mind that the natural color of the teeth varies from one person to another, and some individuals can naturally have the teeth more yellow than others.

Factors contributing to yellow teeth:

1. Enamel thinning: As we age, the enamel of our teeth is wearing naturally, making yellow dentin more visible.
2. Food and drink stains: the consumption of certain foods and drinks, such as coffee, tea and red wine, can cause spots on the teeth over time.
3. Tobacco consumption: smoking or chewing tobacco can cause yellowing of teeth due to chemical substances present in tobacco products.
4. Medications: Certain medications, such as tetracycline antibiotics, can cause intrinsic spots on teeth, giving rise to a yellowish or grayish appearance.
5. Bad oral hygiene: inappropriate teeth hygiene practices can contribute to the accumulation of plaque and tartar, which can cause yellowing of teeth.

Note: It is essential to perform periodic dental reviews and cleaning to keep the teeth and solve any problem related to the color of the teeth. A dentist can provide professional dental whitening treatments or recommend adequate oral care products to help restore the natural whiteness of the teeth.

Dental Trauma and Enamel Erosion

Dental trauma:

Dental trauma can cause the discoloration of the teeth. When an injury occurs, the blood supply can be interrupted to the affected tooth, which causes internal bleeding. Blood can filter in the dentin, the layer under the enamel, and give the tooth a yellowish or grayish appearance. In some cases, trauma can cause a fracture or shipwhauls, exposing the internal layers, which may also appear discolored.

Enamel erosion:

The erosion of enamel is mainly caused by acidic food and drinks, poor oral hygiene and certain medical conditions. Acid substances, such as citrus, soft drinks and vinegar, can gradually wear out the enamel protective layer. When the enamel is thinned, the yellowish dentin underneaths becomes more visible, which gives rise to yellow teeth. In addition, people who suffer from gastroesophageal reflux disease (EGE) or suffer frequent vomiting may also have a higher risk of enamel erosion and the consequent discoloration of the teeth.

To prevent dental trauma and enamel erosion, it is important to maintain good oral hygiene, avoid excessive consumption of acidic food and drinks and carry a oral protector during physical activities that may involve a risk of dental injury. Periodic dental reviews and cleaning are also crucial to detect and treat any early sign of enamel erosion or dental trauma.

Excessive Fluoride Consumption: Causes and Effects

One of the main causes of excessive fluorine consumption is the excessive use of dental products that contain fluoride, such as dentifrices and mouth rinses. Although fluoride is an essential component to prevent caries, it is important to use these products in moderation, especially in the case of young children, which are prone to swallow the toothpaste. Eating excessive amounts of fluoride from dental products can cause dental fluorosis and other health complications.

Dental fluorosis occurs when a person is exposed to high levels of fluorine during teeth development. This usually occurs between 0 and 8 years, when permanent teeth are still being formed under gums. Excessive fluoride intake during this critical period can interfere with the normal development of dental enamel, causing discoloration and the formation of small white or brown spots on the teeth.

Another important source of excessive fluorine consumption is drinking water. Some regions have naturally high levels of fluoride in their water sources, while in other areas fluoride is added to the water supply as a public health measure. This can cause an involuntary overexposure to fluoride, especially in people who consume large amounts of water throughout the day. It is important to know the fluorine content of drinking water and take appropriate measures to avoid excessive fluorine intake.

Genetic Factors

It has been discovered that genes influence the thickness and color of the dental enamel, which directly affects the appearance of the teeth. The enamel is the outermost layer of the tooth and serves as protective coating. In some cases, people can have a naturally thinner enamel, which can make the underlying dentin more visible, which has a yellowish tone.

In addition, genetics can also influence saliva production, which plays an important role in maintaining oral health. Saliva helps eliminate food particles and neutralize mouth acids, keeping clean and protected teeth. People with genetic variations that affect saliva production may have a greater risk of developing spots on the teeth.

Genetic Factors and Teeth Coloration

Several genes associated with the color of the teeth have been identified. One of them is the amelogenin gene, responsible for the production of enamel proteins. Certain variations in this gene can lead to a finer enamel or alterations in its mineral composition, which leads to greater susceptibility to spots.

• Another relevant gene is the OCA2, associated with the production of melanin. Melanin is the pigment responsible for the color of our skin, hair and eyes. Variations in the OCA2 gene can cause changes in the distribution of melanin inside the teeth, potentially causing yellow or brown discoloration.
• In addition, genetic variations in the gene called DSPP can affect the formation and structure of the dentin, the layer under the enamel. Dentin naturally has a yellowish color, and any anomaly in its structure can contribute to visible discoloration.

1. In summary, genetic factors can contribute to teeth yellowing by influencing the thickness of enamel, saliva production and expression of genes related to dental coloration. Understanding these genetic influences can help people understand and better control their oral health.
2. It is essential to keep in mind that, although genetics influences the color of the teeth, the factors related to the lifestyle, such as diet, tobacco consumption and oral hygiene practices, remain important when preventingand treat dental discoloration.

LikeDislike

Author of the article

Dr.Greenblatt M.

Medical oncologist at the Robert Larner College of Medicine, MD, at the University of Vermont