Are you suffering from yellow teeth that do not seem to come off even with regular toothbrushing? Sometimes, the teeth remain stubbornly yellow in color even though you brush them often. Some possible reasons include the natural aging process or staining from your food.
Fortunately, yellow teeth are easy to fix. At Cosmedica Dental, we offer several cosmetic procedures to restore the beauty of your pearly whites. Read along to know more!
Know Your Stains: Extrinsic vs Intrinsic
If the yellow stains on the teeth do not come off with good brushing habits, the problem is already within the tooth. Here’s how to differentiate the two types of stains that may discolor your teeth.
Intrinsic stains involve the deeper layers of the teeth, so you cannot easily brush them off to remove them. Meanwhile, extrinsic stains are staining that may be removed with professional dental cleaning using an ultrasonic scaler and buffed out with a polishing paste.
If the problem is intrinsic staining, a good home oral hygiene habit will not suffice to remove it. Carry on reading to learn about the possible causes of intrinsic stains and what your dentist can do to repair your teeth.
Causes of Yellow Teeth
Aging
As we age, the tooth experiences normal wear and tear. And among the natural signs of aging is discolored teeth. With daily use, the outer layer of the tooth will naturally wear off to reveal the deeper layer, which is slightly yellow in color.
Tartar Build-up
Discolored teeth may also be due to tartar build-up. Tartar and calculus have a distinct yellowish color that may stain the tooth if not removed immediately.
Staining From Food or Beverages
The food and drinks you consume can also impact how your teeth look. People who are avid drinkers of coffee, tea, and red wine may find their teeth yellowish compared to others. Food rich in tannins, such as tomatoes and spiced foods like curry, is also notorious for causing yellow teeth.
Tobacco Use
Smoking is also a possible culprit for yellow teeth. Nicotine from cigarettes and alternatives may easily lodge on your teeth to cause discolorations. While some surface staining can still be removed with a dental cleaning, frequent use may cause most of the teeth to look yellow.
Genetics
Lastly, some patients are just simply born with yellow teeth. This is normal and not something they should be worried about. There is a condition called amelogenesis imperfecta, in which the enamel is thinner and weaker. The enamel is the outer tooth layer that provides a strong and white coat. If you have thin enamel, your teeth will likely show more of the dentin layer underneath, which is of a slightly yellow shade.
Treatments for Intrinsic Stains
Depending on the cause of the staining, some of the procedures that our dentist may recommend to fix discolored teeth are:
Professional Dental Cleaning
Stubborn external staining can still be removed with dental cleaning. We use a high-frequency ultrasonic scaler that vibrates against the tooth to remove heavy calculus that may cause yellow teeth. Then, we polish the tooth to remove the stains and brighten your smile.
Teeth Whitening
But if the stains are deep into the teeth, a better option would be teeth whitening treatments. Professional teeth whitening uses a bleaching agent painted on each tooth. Then, it is activated by blue light to enhance and accelerate the whitening effect. You may also opt for home care whitening toothpaste for a more budget-friendly option. However, this will not provide quick results like professional whitening does.
Veneers or Crowns
For more prominent stains on the teeth, veneers or crowns will do wonders to camouflage these imperfections. They can be made from quality porcelain material, which is both exceptionally durable and natural-looking. The only difference is that veneers are more conservative, involving little to no tooth prep needed compared to crowns which will require the tooth to be significantly reduced.
Radiant Smiles at Cosmedica Dental
To learn more about how to fix yellow teeth or other teeth discolorations, our team of cosmetic dentists at Cosmedicadental can help. After your smile assessment, we can discuss how to help you achieve your dream smile. Contact us today to schedule your appointment!