Have you ever looked at a movie stars shining white smile and wondered at their secret
? Ever bemoaned the fact that you don't have their dentist? The fact is that even if you did it wouldn't matter because a lot of the pictures that we see are altered to appear perfect. Teeth are not supposed to be pearly white but if your teeth are very yellow there are things you can do. So what causes yellow teeth?
Certain foods and drinks can cause staining to your smile. Tea, cola, berries, coffee and red wine are the most likely to cause staining. Very sugary foods and fizzy drinks cause the enamel that protects your teeth to erode meaning that your teeth are more likely to become stained.
There are certain medications that, if given to children under eight, can cause a yellowing of the teeth. Tetracycline and doxycycline which are both antibiotics can cause this discoloration. Certain mouthwashes and rinses containing chlorhexidene can cause staining of the teeth in adults.
There are some illnesses and medical treatments that can cause damage to both the enamel and the dentine of the teeth causing yellowing. Radiation to the head and neck area as well as chemotherapy can cause this discoloration. Trauma to the teeth causing damage to the root can cause a tooth to turn yellow as it decays.
The enamel on your teeth helps to keep your teeth white as it protects the dentine within the tooth. Dentine is a naturally yellow color and as you get older the enamel wears away leaving your dentine more exposed therefore showing a yellow tinge. So it seems this is one of the unfortunate things about growing older.
There are a number of effective treatments to whiten your teeth but the treatment must be appropriate to the cause. For example if your tooth is yellow due to damage you must consult your dentist to get the tooth fixed before you can consider cosmetic whitening. For hereditary, food linked or age related yellowing you might consider veneers or a home whitening kit that can be purchased either from your dentist or a pharmacy.
Thoroughly flossing and brushing your teeth is vital not only to prevent decay but also to minimize staining. Some causes of tooth discoloration can not be prevented or fixed by oral hygiene however so consult your dentist for a professional opinion if you are unsure of the cause of yellow teeth.