Why are My Teeth Turning Yellow?

There are a number of factors that can be impacting the colour of your teeth. Even with terrific dental hygiene; regular flossing and brushing your teeth twice a day, your teeth can still show a yellowish hue.

It can be difficult to know what exactly is giving your teeth this colour, which can be frustrating for people who may be taking the right steps in every other way. So, for those struggling to get an answer, here are the 5 most common reasons behind yellowish teeth.

Your diet

Certain foods like tomato, curries and berries have pigments that can stain the surface of tooth enamel, even if it’s a healthy food, which is why it’s so important to brush your teeth twice a day. But some foods are doing more damage than just enamel stains. Sugary treats and fizzy drinks have no nutritional value and can seriously damage your teeth. If your teeth are still yellowing despite regular brushing, you may want to change parts of your diet.

Smoking

Smoking isn’t only a dangerous habit for your health, it can also seriously damage your teeth, and leave yellow or brown surface stains. Cut out the nicotine and you’ll see a significant change in your pearly whites.

Damaged teeth

Damaged or cracked teeth can impact the tooth’s interior and lead to discoloration. This can happen if you’ve had an accident and hit your tooth, or even from unconscious grinding of your teeth overnight. In both cases, this yellowing is a sign that you need to seek professional attention as soon as possible.

Aging

Everything wears with age, so of course your teeth are going to as well. Expect to see colour change as the enamel wears away as you get older. If you’ve found that aging has had an effect on your teeth, cosmetic treatment is available.

It’s genetic

The colour of your teeth does actually run in the family. The shade of your teeth is probably similar to the shade of your parents, so if their teeth are yellowish, odds are that’s where it’s come from.

While you can speculate why your teeth have developed that yellowish hue over time, the best way to get a proper answer is to visit your local dentist. Your dentist will be able to tell you whether your yellowing is a genetic, a natural occurrence, or whether it’s a more serious side effect of something that needs immediate attention.