An attractive set of teeth contributes to a great smile and can help you succeed in life – whether it is while making friends, seeking a promotion in the workplace, or pursuing the love of your life. However some people take every precaution to maintain their oral health and still experience a yellowish tinge in their teeth. For such people, it becomes normal to wonder: “Why are my teeth yellow when I brush them every day?”
It is, after all, a logical question. Why do your teeth look yellow, even though you brush them every day? What is the reason behind the odd discoloration of your teeth?
These are some of the questions we will answer today to help you regain your confidence and flash your smile without any hesitation.
Read until the end for special tips on battling that yellow hue on your teeth and making your smile pearly white!
What is the Actual Color of Healthy Teeth?
First things first. Let’s talk about what the natural color of your teeth actually is.
The shade of white most natural to your teeth is affected by the two outermost layers that are part of the tooth structure. The hard outer layer, or enamel, is naturally white, so people assume a smile should be white. The inner layer, or dentin, is naturally yellow. If your enamel is too thin, the dentin begins to show through, making your teeth appear yellow.
So essentially, the natural color of your teeth is determined by how dark your dentin color is and how thin your tooth enamel layer is.
Understanding the Difference Between Stains
Now, coming to the question, “Why are my teeth yellow when I brush them every day?”
To understand the reason behind this, it is important to know the difference between the types of stains that affect your teeth.
- Intrinsic stains affect the color of your teeth internally and are much harder to get rid of.
- Extrinsic stains discolor the surface of your teeth and can be eliminated either by brushing or professional cleaning.
| Extrinsic Stains | Reasons Behind Them |
| Staining or unhealthy foods & drinks | Contain acid and/or tannins |
| Poor oral hygiene routine | – Brushing vigorously, which can erode the enamel
– Not following a proper oral care routine |
| Smoking | The chemicals in tobacco can stain and spoil the teeth. |
| Intrinsic Stains | Reasons Behind Them |
| The natural color of your teeth | This could be due to genetics or aging |
| Strong medications | Heavy antibiotics can turn your teeth yellow before time. |
But Why Are My Teeth Yellow When I Brush Them Everyday?
Let’s get into the nitty-gritty. Your teeth may be stained for a lot of different reasons. Most people think brushing alone is enough to make your teeth appear white and shiny. But that is sadly not the case.
It is important to remember that brushing isn’t designed to make your teeth white. Brushing your teeth cleans your mouth and prevents tooth decay and oral cavities. But brushing alone cannot whiten your teeth. Some of the foods we consume, medications we take, or our daily habits could contribute to tooth discoloration.
Let’s look at a few reasons why your teeth are yellow even though you brush them every day.
Poor Oral Hygiene Habits (No Surprise There)
If you have come to the point where you have to ask yourself, “Why are my teeth yellow when I brush them every day?” then maybe you are doing the actual brushing wrong.
So, think before you brush and follow the following tips to do it right.
Brush ‘Em Regularly
Make sure that you brush your teeth at least twice every day without fail. Stopping this practice will make matter much worse than they already are.
Brush Gently
Brushing your teeth vigorously is not a mark of extra cleanliness. Remember, your teeth are not a piece of furniture that you can attack with a brush and cleanser to polish.
Brushing your teeth hard will not make them any cleaner. Just take your time and brush your teeth gently. Attacking your teeth with a brush will only erode the outer enamel, exposing the yellow dentin underneath and making your teeth look discolored.
Rinse With Mouthwash
Add a gentle mouthwash to your daily oral care routine, and use it once a day. The hydrogen peroxide in mouthwash will help your teeth become whiter.
Brush Your Tongue
Brushing your tongue can eliminate harmful bacteria and plaque, which act as staining agents for your teeth. Make sure to clean your tongue while brushing your teeth gently.
Foods & Drinks – You Are What You Eat
The diet you consume is largely responsible for any discoloration you might be experiencing on your teeth. Everything you eat leaves a residual sheen in your mouth. Elements such as chromogen, acids, and tannins in your food can stain your teeth over time.
Some high-staining foods and drinks include:
Tea & coffee: These are two major culprits for staining your teeth as they are super high in acids and tannins. The surface stains from consuming these two beverages build up over time, making them hard to remove.
Wine: Red wine has a high number of tannins and can cause tough-to-remove discoloration on your teeth.
Dark sauces: Dark and heavy sauces such as barbeque sauce, soy sauce, and ketchup can cause extrinsic stains on your teeth.
Smoking – The Secret Culprit
Most people focus on the harmful effect smoking can have on your lungs and body, but no one talks about the toll this habit can take on your teeth and oral cavity. Smoking is one of the primary reasons why your teeth turn yellow over time. The nicotine stains become hard to remove, making your teeth turn a darker shade of yellow slowly.
If you are a compulsive smoker, brushing your teeth is not enough. You also need to get your teeth professionally cleaned to remove the nicotine stains.
Medications – Say What?
This might be hard to believe, but heavy medications can cause your teeth to discolor over time and give you dry mouth syndrome.
Tetracycline is the most popular drug that causes your teeth to discolor. Other medications for conditions such as cancer or blood pressure can also cause your teeth to turn yellow by drying your mouth. The acidic levels in your mouth increase when your mouth is dry, turning your teeth to an unattractive shade of yellow.
Brushing Not Enough? Here Are Some Solutions to Battle Yellow Teeth
Needless to say, you will need something more than basic brushing to get rid of discolored or yellowed teeth.
- Over-the-counter whitening products can be good for treating your yellowed teeth temporarily. You can use whitening trays, gels, and fluoride to lighten the color of your teeth.
- If you are looking for long-term solutions, in-office teeth whitening is definitely your best bet. Professionally getting your teeth whitened through methods such as Zoom whitening can give you the results you want within an hour.
- Restorative treatments, such as dental veneers and porcelain crowns, can tackle your intrinsic stains and give you a smile makeover to make your teeth appear whiter.
- You can also make a couple of changes in your tea and coffee consumption patterns. Try to drink these staining liquids with a straw. Make attempts to lessen the consumption of these beverages. Divert yourself away from black teas and venture towards herbal teas, as they result in less staining.
- Visit the dentist regularly, as frequent professional cleanings can keep the intrinsic and extrinsic stains at bay.
Conclusion
Yellowed teeth can result in an embarrassing smile, shattering your confidence and self-esteem along the way. Hopefully, this article has given you an understanding of how to prevent your teeth from becoming yellow and understanding the reasons behind discolored teeth. You can maintain your oral health and a pearly white smile by gaining knowledge of the reasons behind this occurrence.
If you have tried out everything and are still not happy with the color of your teeth, you can get in touch with Le Sueur Family Dental. Our dental professionals can give you the best teeth whitening and cleaning options and restore your smile back to its former glory.
Contact Le Sueur Family Dental today!
FAQs
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Can my yellow teeth become white again by brushing?
Stained teeth can happen due to several reasons, including the food you consume, the medications you take, and your oral hygiene habits. Brushing alone might not be enough to whiten your teeth. It is best to consult your dentist and ask for recommendations and tips on whitening your teeth again.
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How many times should I brush my teeth if I have yellow teeth?
Dentists recommend that you brush your teeth at least twice every day for two minutes each time. Make sure to use a floss threader that can get into all the cracks and crevices of your teeth to effectively clean your oral cavity.
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How can I fix my yellow teeth permanently?
Reduce consumption of staining foods and drinks.
Get your teeth professionally cleaned regularly.
Explore cosmetic dentistry options such as veneers or crowns.
Get your teeth whitened professionally by a specialist.
Opt for a full mouth restoration or makeover to see the change in your smile.
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What is the fastest way to whiten my teeth?
The most rapid way to whiten your teeth is to visit a dental clinic for in-office teeth whitening. This method will give you the fastest results (within an hour!), and you will see the change in the color of your smile.
