Why do teeth go yellow?

There are many reasons why your pearly whites may turn yellow, but why does this happen? Long story short, it has all to do with your enamel. Enamel is the hard, outermost layer of your teeth and although it is very protective, it is easy to stain. Your enamel can become stained due to a number of factors, such as;
  • Age – As you get older your teeth can start to yellow naturally as your enamel wears over time.
  • Tobacco – Smoking cigarettes, pipes and chew tobacco are all ways in which you can stain your teeth.
  • Medication – Some medications, such as antibiotics and antihistamines can cause teeth to darken and yellow.
  • Acidic foods and beverages – Acidic foods and drink such as wine, sugary foods and soft drink can all cause your teeth to discolour.
  • Coffee – Unfortunately, your daily morning coffee can also cause your teeth to yellow.
  • Poor oral hygiene – Of course, if you are not looking after your teeth they are far more likely to get stained.
The best prevention of teeth yellowing is to watch what you eat and of course, practise proper oral care. Not only does brushing and flossing your teeth prevent them from staining, but it also prevents things like decay and disease and will save you a lot of dental money in the long run!

How to clean teeth

Believe it or not, but most adults don’t actually clean their teeth properly! It is a lot more than just swishing some toothpaste around. Take a look at our guide to make sure you are cleaning your teeth properly and keeping stains far away.
  • How to brush teeth –This may seem like an obvious one; however, you may be surprised by how many people that aren’t effectively brushing their teeth. For starters, a proper brushing takes two minutes. Most people barely pass one minute. Aside from the time frame, proper brushing requires gentle and short strokes with special attention to your gum line and back teeth. Make sure you are brushing both the front and back of your teeth as well to ensure all areas are being taken care off. It also doesn’t hurt to give your tongue a scrub too! Make sure you’re brushing twice a day to ensure the health of your pearly whites.
  • How to floss – Flossing is also an incredibly important part of your oral hygiene routine. There are five surfaces to a tooth and brushing reaches only three of those surfaces. That’s two surfaces left to build up plaque and wear away. By flossing, you can dramatically increase the health of your gums and teeth and leave your smile just that bit brighter. To floss properly, make sure you curve the floss around your tooth in a C-shape and pull back and forth.
By brushing and flossing every day you will dramatically decrease and prevent the yellowing of your teeth. If you want to find out more ways you can keep your teeth healthy or you’re concerned about staining on your teeth then call one of our friendly staff today to book an appointment.