YELLOW TEETH :- REASONS

      YELLOWNESS OF TEETH

  I  have yellow teeth, my teeth are not as white as others, i don't feel happy with the color of my teeth.

These are the most common issue of the generation. Every one expects their teeth to be as white as the white itself. But only few are happy with the color of their teeth and make efforts to keep them healthy. The reason behind your yellow teeth can be you, yourself. Find out how.

NATURAL COLOR -

               The natural color of our teeth is due to the dentin present under the outer enamel layer of our teeth. The enamel is bluish-white in color and somewhat translucent, while the dentin is yellow in color. So the mixture of these two gives the natural color of our teeth. The overall outcome will be either greyish white or light yellow. So no one is born with pearly white teeth. Also the color of teeth varies from person to person.

STAINS - What are stains?

Stains are the cause for the dark color of the teeth. Stains can be of two types:-
One is extrinsic, present on the outer surface of teeth and can be removed by brushing or professional cleaning.
Other is intrinsic, which are due to some defect in the inner layer of teeth and cannot be removed by brushing or professional cleaning.

REASONS OF YELLOW TEETH

There are several reasons for dullness of teeth shine and yellowish tone. Too much use of artificial juices, candies or food which contain food coloring can mark stains over teeth. It is very common among kids. Among adults, consumption of coffee, tea, wine, or flavored alcohol is prevalent. All these drinks contain concentrated color pigments called chromogens. These pigments affect the teeth color from both inside as well as outside.

Underneath the hard, white outer shell of your teeth, called as enamel, lies a softer and less white  area called dentin. Enamel layer gets thinner and thinner by the time due to brushing, inappropriate oral care or wrong choice of food. Dentin the yellowish layer shows through. So it can be said that aging may cause enamel damage which can result in yellow color of teeth.

Tooth darkening or yellowing can be an unexpected result of certain antihistamines, antipsychotics, and high blood pressure medications. Another reason is young children are given to antibiotics like tetracycline and doxycycline when their teeth are forming which can cause discoloration of their adult teeth later in life. Chemotherapy or head and neck radiation therapy can also darken teeth. Medicine with abundant amount of active iron can also play a part in damaging teeth color.

Tobacco, weed,  betelnut, supari, tanbool, gutka are some products which can severely damage oral health including discoloration of teeth. Other causes are :-

1. Unhealthy oral hygiene

If you are not brushing your teeth regularly, it is not surprising that you have yellow teeth. Stains have enjoyed their stay in the surface of your teeth so much that they have no intention of leaving – unless you will have your teeth cleaned.

2. Age
As you get older, the external layer of your tooth enamel get wiped out that result to exposed dentin, which has natural yellow color.

3. Genetic Factor
People often misunderstood that you have yellowish teeth because of stain or because of poor oral hygiene when the truth is that it is all due to your genes. Your teeth are not stained or cared for poorly; their colors are real. 

4. Foods

Some foods cause your teeth to darken. Red wine, coffee and sauces like balsamic vinegar are among the culprits. The same goes with dishes that are colored artificially. Food dyes can stay on your teeth. Even blueberries, considered as super foods, can lead to teeth discoloration. But can you completely avoid these foods? No, you can avoid staining your teeth more just by knowing them. After consuming these foods, you should make sure that you rinse your mouth in case you are not at home. But if you are, you can directly go to the washroom and brush your teeth.

5. Smoking

Smoking is bad for your health; it is also bad for your teeth. Cigarettes and other tobacco products contain nicotine that causes teeth to become yellowish or brown. Most of the time, they discolor teeth faster than coffee.

6. Disease
Certain diseases affect tooth enamel and dentin negatively that they result in the discoloration of your teeth. Additionally, some medical procedures may cause your teeth to turn yellow.

7. Trauma
When you were young, you may have suffered from fall that led to the distraction of the formation of the enamel. Because your teeth are still evolving at that time, this incidence affected the color of your teeth as they develop.

After knowing the causes, just watch out the reason of your yellow teeth and take definite steps to improve your oral health.

        
                       HAVE A HEALTHY SMILE

THANK YOU

       
         REGARDS - Dr. MITALI PATEL