Given the choice, the majority of us would desire a healthy smile with white and bright, shining teeth. However, for some, the inevitability of yellowing teeth as they age can be disheartening. While ageing and genetics do influence dental discolouration, several external factors also play a significant role. In this article, we delve deeper into the causes of yellow teeth, shedding light on ways to slow down the process to preserve a sparkling smile for years to come.
Learn more: Enhance Your Smile With Cosmetic Dentistry
Food and Drinks
If you are an avid coffee, tea or red wine drinker, perhaps it’s time to consider cutting back on these as they contain chromogens — highly pigmented molecules that attach to the enamel of teeth. Over time, repeated exposure to such staining agents can lead to the accumulation of pigments on the tooth surface, resulting in discolouration. Additionally, the acidity of coffee and wine wears the enamel, making your teeth even more susceptible to staining. When it comes to food, beets and berries comprise pigments that can cause yellow teeth as well. Reducing your consumption of these staining food and drinks can help minimise tooth discolouration.
Poor Oral Hygiene
Inadequate brushing, flossing and regular dental care can result in a cascade of dental issues including yellow teeth. Without proper brushing and flossing, plaque, a sticky film containing bacteria, accumulates on the surfaces of the teeth. Plaque can harden into tartar over time, which cannot be eliminated through regular brushing alone. Tartar not only creates a breeding ground for bacteria but also harbours stains from food and beverages. These stains gradually infiltrate the enamel, leading to discolouration. Here are some oral hygiene techniques you can practise to prevent such outcomes:
- Brush your teeth regularly with fluoride toothpaste, ideally after every meal or at least twice a day to remove plaque and prevent accumulation.
- Floss daily to eliminate plaque and food debris from between teeth and along the gumline, areas often missed by brushing alone.
- Visit a dental specialist in Singapore for routine dental check-ups and professional cleaning every six months to eradicate tartar buildup and address any emerging issues before they worsen.
Tobacco Use
Whether through smoking or chewing, tobacco use poses a myriad of detrimental effects on oral health. The tar and nicotine present in tobacco products are notorious for adhering to dental enamel, eventually forming stubborn yellowish-brown stains on the teeth’s surface. Extending beyond mere teeth staining, tobacco consumption significantly heightens the likelihood of gum disease and oral cancers, compromising overall dental health. The yellowing of teeth represents just one consequence of a broader array of oral health problems stemming from tobacco use.
Ageing and Genetics
Variations in tooth enamel colour and thickness can arise from both ageing and genetic factors, contributing to yellowing over time. The natural ageing process often involves a gradual thinning of enamel, revealing more of the underlying dentin, which tends to have a slightly yellowish hue. On the other hand, genetics determine enamel thickness and colour, and some individuals are genetically predisposed to thinner enamel or enamel with a yellow tint. These genetic variations can manifest regardless of oral hygiene practices, which is why some are more prone to yellow teeth despite good dental care routines.
Though certain aspects of teeth discolouration are unavoidable, taking proactive steps such as limiting food and beverages with staining agents, incorporating proper oral care habits and eliminating tobacco use can inhibit the process, helping you to maintain a gleaming and radiant smile.
Still concerned about yellow teeth? Fret not, as teeth whitening is included in our comprehensive range of dental services at Atria-City Dental. Visit our dental clinic in Singapore today and find out how we can assist you.
Leave a Reply