
Written by a Registered Dental Hygienist at Polish and White, 228 Orakei Road, Remuera, Auckland, Orakei Bay Village.
If you’ve noticed your teeth turning yellow all of a sudden, you’re not alone! Tooth discoloration can happen for various reasons, and it’s important to know why and how to address it. Let’s look at some of the most common causes and ways to regain that fresh white smile and simply feel good.
Causes of Yellow Teeth
Yellowing teeth can result from lifestyle choices, aging, or even health conditions. Some of the main contributors include:
Diet: Consuming dark-colored beverages like coffee, tea, red wine, and certain acidic foods can stain enamel over time (Watts & Addy, 2001).
Smoking: Nicotine and tar from cigarettes penetrate tooth enamel and leave yellow or brownish stains (Jiang et al., 2020).
Vaping: Nicotine is the culprit here again and can cause teeth to yellow.
Aging: As we age, the enamel naturally thins, revealing the yellowish dentin underneath (Joiner, 2006).
Medications: Certain antibiotics or antihistamines can cause discoloration, especially if taken during childhood (Moneib et al., 2019).
Poor Oral Hygiene: Plaque buildup and calculus can trap stains, making teeth appear yellow, especially interdentally ( in between your teeth) if you aren’t flossing regularly (Marsh & Martin, 2009).
But what about other factors? Could deficiencies or medical conditions be contributing to the discoloration?
Does a Calcium Deficiency Cause Yellow Teeth?
Calcium is crucial for strong teeth, but does a deficiency directly cause yellowing? While calcium deficiency might not be the primary cause of yellow teeth, it can weaken enamel. Weak enamel is more prone to damage, which can lead to an uneven, yellowish appearance as it wears down.
In fact, a lack of calcium might cause more serious dental issues, such as tooth decay and increased sensitivity, rather than just discoloration (MartÃnez-Beneyto et al., 2017). Maintaining a diet rich in calcium and other essential minerals will help keep your teeth healthy and strong. Always check with your doctor first.
Yellow Teeth and Other Discolorations
Not all discolorations are yellow. Teeth can also turn brown, gray, or even translucent. These changes often have different underlying causes:
Gray or brown stains might result from trauma, medications, excessive fluoride exposure or amalgam staining (Fejerskov et al., 1996).
White spots could be a sign of early tooth decay or fluorosis (Buzalaf et al., 2010).
Translucent teeth at the edges may indicate enamel erosion caused by an acidic diet (Lussi et al., 2019).
Each type of discoloration can be a sign of a different issue, which is why professional assessment is essential to get to the cause of the problem.
Dry Mouth – Does It Contribute to Yellow Teeth?
Yes, it does! Dry mouth, or xerostomia, reduces the amount of saliva in your mouth. Saliva plays a key role in washing away food particles and neutralising acids that can erode enamel. When your mouth is too dry, Without enough saliva, it’s more likely that tiny particles from your foods and drinks will cling to your teeth, eventually staining them . Without the washing effect of the saliva plaque and stains can build up more quickly, making your teeth appear yellow or brown (Villa et al., 2015).
People experiencing chronic dry mouth, whether due to medications or conditions like Sjögren’s syndrome, are more prone to yellowing and other oral health issues. Drinking plenty of water to stay hydrated or chewing sugar free chewing gum and addressing the root cause of dry mouth can help with the help of your dental team.
Interesting dry mouth can also be caused by menopause. Xerostomia is common in menopausal women owing to the hormonal changes which take place during midlife resulting in a reduced saliva flow (Jacob et al., 2022).
How to Get Rid of Yellow Teeth
If you're dealing with yellow teeth, don’t worry – there are several ways to help whiten your teeth :
1. Professional Whitening: At Polish and White, we offer tailored whitening solutions that can significantly lift stains, such as LED-activated systems. These treatments break down deep stains, often producing results in just one session (Marson et al., 2019). These treatments are great for the people that want it all taken care of in 1-2 sessions with no mess to deal with.
2. Pap+ is the choice for sensitive teeth and for others Hydrogen Peroxide Whitening Gels: We use Ultra Hydrogen, Embrace Hydrogen, and Maintenance Hydrogen – all containing nano-hydroxyapatite to reduce sensitivity and strengthen enamel (Lima et al., 2018).
3. At-home Treatments: You can opt for whitening toothpastes. But be very careful to choose a low abrasion paste. Or you can opt for custom take-home trays with gels provided by a professional. These offer a more gradual, but safe and effective way to whiten your teeth (Joiner, 2010). However, this option works best for people who are disciplined and can stick to a routine – think of it as a good fit for those with an "A-type" personality. Many people start with the best intentions but may struggle to complete the full course of treatment, often due to sensitivity or simply because life gets in the way. This can lead to disappointment with the final results.
4. Preventive Measures:Â Limit consumption of staining foods and drinks, brush and floss regularly, address your dry mouth issues. Â See your hygienist for regular cleanings and advice on maintaining a white smile.
How whiter teeth can make you feel….
In an Oral B study it was found that people with whiter teeth were perceived to look up to five years younger, and their attractiveness increased by 20%. This study emphasised the impact of tooth color on romantic and job-related success. Whiter teeth simply make a person feel more confident and good about them selves.
Conclusion
Yellow teeth are not uncommon and often result from everyday habits or health issues. The good news? With the right treatments and care, you can brighten your teeth, boost your confidence and simply make your self feel good.
If you’ve noticed a change in the color of your teeth, feel free to reach out to me at Polish and White. As a registered dental hygienist, I’m here to help you feel good, because when we do, we smile more. And smiling makes us more attractive.
References:
- Buzalaf, M. A. R., et al. (2010). "Fluoride metabolism and mechanisms of action in the oral environment." Journal of Applied Oral Science, 18(4), 356-368.
- Fejerskov, O., et al. (1996). "Dental fluorosis: a handbook for health workers." World Health Organization.
-Jacob, L. E., Krishnan, M., Mathew, A., Mathew, A. L., Baby, T. K., & Krishnan, A. (2022). Xerostomia - A comprehensive review with a focus on mid-life health. Journal of Midlife Health, 13(2), 100-106. https://doi.org/10.4103/jmh.jmh_91_21
- Jiang, D., et al. (2020). "Tobacco use and oral health." Journal of Dental Research, 99(11), 1329-1336.
- Joiner, A. (2006). "The bleaching of teeth: A review of the literature." Journal of Dentistry, 34(7), 412-419.
- Joiner, A. (2010). "Review of the effects of peroxide on enamel and dentine properties." Journal of Dentistry, 38(Supplement 2), e66-e74.
- Lima, D. A. N. L., et al. (2018). "The use of nano-hydroxyapatite in dental whitening products: a systematic review." The Journal of the American Dental Association, 149(1), 59-65.
- Lussi, A., et al. (2019). "Tooth erosion and its management." Clinical Oral Investigations, 23(2), 297-312.
- Marsh, P. D., & Martin, M. V. (2009). "Oral microbiology." Elsevier Health Sciences.
- MartÃnez-Beneyto, Y., et al. (2017). "Calcium and dental health." European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 71(4), 484-489.
- Marson, F. C., et al. (2019). "In-office bleaching with light vs. without light: A systematic review and meta-analysis." Journal of Dentistry, 82, 30-45.
- Moneib, N. A., et al. (2019). "Dental discoloration induced by medications." Dental Research Journal, 16(4), 235-241.
Oral-B. (2013). The power of a white smile: Effects on age perception, attractiveness, and professional success. *Oral-B Study*.
- Villa, A., et al. (2015). "Xerostomia: an update on its etiology, diagnosis, and management." Journal of the American Dental Association, 146(12), 867-873.
- Watts, A., & Addy, M. (2001). "Tooth discolouration and staining: A review of the literature." British Dental Journal, 190(6), 309-316.
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