Yellow Teeth: Causes and Prevention

Yellow teeth can be difficult to live with. While we all know that you cannot judge a book by its cover, people with yellow teeth understandably feel self-conscious and embarrassed when they smile or talk. It affects HOW you smile because you may not want to show your teeth when you smile if you aren’t happy with how your teeth look. And because yellow teeth are not a serious problem, you may end up living with them even though you’re not happy with them.

If you have yellow teeth, there are two probable culprits. One is genetics (have you always had yellow teeth?) and the other is diet and/or other behaviors. As for genetics, it turns out the some people are just born destined for whiter teeth than others and thicker enamel on the teeth is also a genetic trait.

As for the second set of factors, as long as you did, at one time, have white teeth and you are not elderly or going through (or have gone through) radiation or chemotherapy treatments, the likely causes could be:

• Diet (tea, coffee, wine and cola drinks can stain your teeth);
• Smoking and Chewing (tobacco use can stain your teeth);
• Inadequate Dental Hygiene (not brushing and flossing properly or often enough);
• Medications (certain medications are known to discolor teeth in certain individuals, such as tetracycline, doxycycline, antihistimines, antipsychotics and high blood pressure medications);
• Mouth wash and mouth rinse products that contain chlorhexidine or cetylpyridinium.

You can avoid yellow teeth if you avoid the main factors that cause them. If you smoke or chew tobacco, you should quit. If you drink coffee or tea every day, you should cut back or stop drinking those beverages completely. At a bare minimum you should brush and floss every day. Yellow teeth prevention begins with proper hygiene. An electric toothbrush can help brush away stains more thoroughly than a handheld toothbrush. Using toothpaste can help too. There are many whitening toothpastes out on the market these days. But brushing alone will not keep the stains from coffee and tea away. You should get a thorough cleaning with your dentist every six months. Your dental hygienist will be able to get tougher stains off easier than you can.

If you are on the types of medications listed above and you suspect that they are causing your teeth to yellow, make an appointment with and speak to your doctor about your concerns. You can also speak to your dentist about these medications as well. If you use a mouthwash or a dental rinse, check the label to make sure they do not contain the ingredients listed above. These may be causing you to have yellow teeth and you should stop if you think this is the case. Speak to your dentist if you are concerned about any mouthwash or dental rinse you may be using.

Don’t hesitate to speak to your dentist about your teeth if you are unhappy with the way they look. Your dentist may have a number of solutions that will help you feel happier about your smile. No one should feel too uncomfortable to smile!

For more information about different treatments to whiten teeth, see Yellow Teeth Treatment: How To Get Your Teeth White Again.