Unsure how your teeth got so yellow? You aren’t alone.
Tooth discolouration often happens gradually, so it’s easy to overlook.
Despite being a hard pill to swallow upon realisation, you can regain your brilliant white smile!
So, let’s examine the top five causes of yellow teeth before offering some tips and tricks for remedying them.
Cause 1: Poor Oral Hygiene
Yellowing can be a sign of poor oral hygiene or infection in your mouth.
Not brushing or flossing your teeth correctly or enough can wear down the tooth enamel, revealing the dentin (that’s the yellow part) beneath. Similarly, infection can cause bacteria to eat away at the enamel, yellowing your teeth.
Poor oral hygiene also allows sticky plaque to build up on teeth. The longer this remains, the harder it gets, eventually turning into calcified deposits known as tartar. Both tartar and plaque buildup trap food particles and bacteria, letting discolouration appear.
Cause 2: Diet and Beverages
Naturally, the food and beverages you eat impact your teeth. Therefore, certain consumables can cause discolouration and yellowing due to the acids that may erode your enamel or stain your teeth.
Take a look at the table below to discover the most common yellow teeth culprits:
| Food Causing Yellow Teeth | Drink Causing Yellow Teeth |
| Berries Beetroot Tomato-based sauces Balsamic vinegar Soy sauce Curry Pigmented candy (hard and gummy) | Tea Coffee Wine Soda Sports drinks Dark-colored fruit juices like cranberry, blueberry & grape juice |
Cause 3: Smoking and Tobacco Use
Whether you smoke cigarettes, cigars, or a pipe, smoking can cause yellow teeth. The same goes for chewing tobacco! Why? Because of the presence of tar (a naturally dark substance) and nicotine (a colourless substance that gives your teeth a yellow colour when oxygen is present).
Cause 4: Ageing
So far, we’ve covered causes that you can change. But this one is different. Unfortunately, your teeth may naturally yellow as you age.
The older you get, the more your enamel wears away, showing the dentin underneath. Not to mention that your teeth create more yellow dentin as you age, giving your teeth a duller, darker appearance.
Cause 5: Medications and Medical Conditions
Both medications and medical conditions can adversely impact the colour of your teeth. While this will likely be the last thing on your mind when you’re trying to treat or deal with an illness, it’s worth noting if you’re feeling self-conscious about your tooth colour.
Let’s take a look at the medications that can cause yellow teeth:
- Tetracycline—This broad-spectrum antibiotic is used in a variety of treatments, including acne. However, it can cause yellow teeth, particularly in young children and pregnant women.
- Antihistamines — These medications relieve the symptoms associated with hay fever and other allergies but can also discolour your teeth.
- Anti-hypertension medications—Some medicines used to treat high blood pressure (e.g., ACE inhibitors, calcium channel blockers, heart rhythm medications, diuretics, and beta-blockers) may cause dry mouth side effects. A dry mouth makes swallowing difficult, increasing the risk of tooth decay and staining.
As for medical conditions, these are a few of the most common illnesses that may cause yellow teeth:
- Celiac disease
- Liver disease
- Calcium deficiency
- Eating disorders
- Metabolic diseases
How to Prevent and Treat Yellow Teeth
If you don’t yet have yellow teeth but are worried about the prospect, here’s how you can prevent it:
- Brush twice a day
- Avoid drinks that stain enamel
- Reduce consumption of sweets and sugary drinks
- Avoid drinking too much alcohol
- Quit smoking
- Replace your toothbrush/toothbrush head regularly
- Use mouthwash
- Floss
While prevention is certainly better than the cure, don’t lose hope if you already have yellow teeth. There are a few things you can try to whiten them:
- Crest 3D white strips — This at-home solution removes tough stains, giving you a whiter smile without a visit to the dentist. They whiten your teeth more progressively, decreasing the likelihood of experiencing sensitivity. They’re also easy to apply, fit comfortably, and are professional-approved.
- Use whitening fluoride toothpaste — Brush twice daily with this toothpaste and use dental floss or interdental brushes to keep your mouth fresh and gradually reduce the yellow tint.
- Eat more calcium—Eating foods rich in calcium can keep your enamel strong and prevent dentin from appearing.
Achieve the Pearly Whites of Your Dreams Today!
Whether you have yellow teeth due to diet, smoking, aging, or poor oral hygiene, Crest 3D white strips can easily (and quickly) whiten them at home. Get your bright smile back!
