Changes in the color of teeth happen gradually for the elderly while suddenly for adults.
This color change is treatable in adults, but it becomes inevitable to make teeth whitish again when you reach your last age.
Aging makes the teeth look more yellow.
Aging withers away your outermost tooth layer, called enamel, and reveals the underneath dentin, which makes the tooth yellow.
However, youngsters are also likely to suffer from tooth yellowing for multiple reasons like genetics, smoking, drinking, medicine, and many more.
Today, we will discuss specific reasons behind tooth yellowing. Then we will discuss certain queries associated with tooth yellowing. However, we will conclude with the last word.
Cause # 1 You are getting older. Aging is an irreversible natural phenomenon that occurs over time.
Enamel is a thin layer on the top of your teeth that gives your teeth a whitish appearance.
This layer vanishes and fades away with time. Consequently, the underneath layer called dentin becomes visible, and the color of your teeth appears yellow.
Cause #2: You are a smoker.
Certain ingredients present in cigarettes, like tobacco (nicotine), develop an unhealthy addiction and affect your teeth. Smoking leaves yellowish or brownish-colored stains on your teeth. These stains become permanent over time.
Cause #3: You have poor oral hygiene.
The process of hygiene is crucial for keeping your teeth white. When dental hygiene is not properly cared for, food particles and liquid leftover on your teeth develop a layer of plaque and tartar. The development of plaque leads to discoloration of your teeth.
Cause #4: You’ve been drinking:
Certain drinks also make your teeth yellow. Drinks like tea and coffee are the two leading causes of teeth yellowing.
Naturally, coffee comprises an ingredient called tannin, which makes colored compounds stick to your teeth. The sticking of these color compounds makes your teeth look yellowish. The same ingredient (tannin) is also present in tea.
Cause #5 You are on a certain medication.
The uptake of certain medicines is also associated with tooth yellowing. Antibiotics are the leading factor in making your teeth yellow. The most common teeth-yellowing antibiotics are doxycycline and tetracycline. The potential dental side effect of these antibiotics is tooth discoloration. Scientific studies have revealed that if your mother took antibiotics in the second half of her pregnancy, you would likely have stained teeth throughout your life. Chemotherapy is also expected to make the teeth of a patient appear yellow. However, certain medications for asthma and blood pressure also make teeth yellow.
F.A.Qs
Does fluorosis cause tooth yellowing?
Fluorosis is the process of making your teeth whiter. But excess fluoride is likely to affect your teeth. The abundance of fluoride is likely to develop yellow or brownish spots on your teeth. Fluoridated water, fluoridated toothpaste, and fluoridated pills are all sources of excess fluoride. If your child is eating them, talk to a dentist about their dental health.
Does genetics play any part in making your teeth yellow?
It is a natural phenomenon that dental color runs in your family. If one of your parents has yellow teeth, then there is a probability you are also likely to have a yellowish tooth hue. Reddish brown, grey, reddish grey, and reddish yellow are the four shades of teeth that are most abundantly present other than white. This depth of color is also likely to vary across the spectrum, from light to dark.
Does grinding your teeth make them yellow?
Tooth grinding is an unconscious habit most people are likely to adopt when stressed, especially when asleep. Grinding causes the tooth enamel to wear away and expose the dentin. Exposure to the dentin layer makes your teeth yellowish or brownish in appearance. Grinding not only makes the enamel go away but also makes your teeth weak.
Wrap up:
The ultimate word is that teeth are an important part of human personality. Its appearance in a whitish color builds confidence in a person and is a plus point for their overall personality. Contrarily, the stained teeth and yellowish hue on the teeth make a person more diffident. The yellowing of teeth is not only likely to affect your overall personality but also your dental health if left untreated for a long period. People struggling with faded and yellow teeth must consult a dentist to regain their dental hygiene and tooth color. A dentist can advise him on the best practices to keep his teeth white and bright.
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