Yellow is usually considered a happy color – sunshine, buttercups, and daffodils are guaranteed to put smiles on most faces. When it comes to teeth, however, yellow isn’t such a welcome hue. Even people who are diligent about their dental health can find themselves with some tooth discoloration.
Here are five of the most common causes of tooth discoloration:
Age
Most teeth naturally yellow as we age because the outer layer of enamel wears away, revealing the yellowish dentin layer underneath.
Genetics
Some people have brighter or thicker enamel due to DNA. Thicker enamel will take longer to wear down, which can make teeth appear whiter longer.
Medications
Tetracycline antibiotics, commonly used to treat bacterial infections, can cause permanent tooth stains, especially in young children. Pregnant women who take tetracycline also risk staining their developing baby’s permanent teeth. Additionally, some antihistamines, antipsychotic drugs and high blood pressure medications can cause enamel to yellow. Treatment may include switching to a different medication – discuss a prescription change with your dentists and physician.
Certain foods and drinks
Coffee, tea and red wine contain an ingredient called tannin, which causes color compounds to stick to enamel, leaving unwanted stains.
Tobacco use
The nicotine and tar found in cigarettes, cigars, and smokeless tobacco can make teeth yellow very quickly. Longtime users often find themselves with brown stains that are hard to remove.
The good news is yellowed teeth usually respond well to whitening treatments.
Teeth with brown stains don’t whiten as well, and gray-looking teeth often don’t change at all. However, the recommended treatment can vary depending on the cause of discoloration. For example, in-office whitening treatments are recommended for thin enamel; over-the-counter whitening toothpastes typically won’t work. Talk to your dentist to create a customized whitening plan based on your personal needs.
