Do you have yellow teeth? Do you wonder why? We all want a beautiful white smile. We brush our teeth, floss and even undergo teeth whitening procedures to make our smiles bright. Many of us go to great lengths to preserve that pearly white smile because it defines who we are. But we’ve all heard about the various things we encounter daily that are working against us. Coffee, red wine, candy and even some of our most favourite foods can be contributing to tooth discolouration.
“There are a lot of things that we are exposed to daily that can have negative impacts on our oral health and cause yellow teeth,” explained Dr. Maryam Adibfar, one of Toronto’s best dentists. “From our morning cup of coffee to our favourite mid-day candy, our teeth are remarkably sensitive and can become discoloured over time.”
Tooth discolouration, which is also known as the yellowing of our teeth, is a process where our teeth will actually lose their white colour and begin to turn yellow. The outer shell of the tooth, which is called the enamel, can weaken if exposed to harmful foods and liquids. As that enamel weakens, it turns translucent. The yellow coloured dentin underneath the enamel begins to show through, which causes that yellow discolouration.
“The enamel is our teeth’s protective coating. This will naturally weaken over time, but it can weaken quicker depending on what it is exposed to,” said Dr. Adibfar.
Our teeth are very sensitive and can be negatively impacted by a variety of foods, liquids and other exposures. Let’s take a closer look at the most common reasons your teeth might be turning yellow and what you can do about it.
3 of the Most Common Reasons Your Teeth Prematurely Turn Yellow
1. Black coffee can cause yellow teeth: Coffee is a daily ritual for many. But this common morning pick-me-up contains tannins that contribute to tooth discolouration. The dark tannins from coffee will easily stick to your teeth and can stay there for up to an hour after your last sip. This along with the acids can have a big impact on your teeth’s enamel.
Tip: Reducing the amount of black coffee you drink or switching to green tea for your caffeine fix can help protect your teeth’s pearly white shine. You might also want to brush your teeth after drinking coffee to help prevent stains and discolouration from occurring.
2. Soft drinks may cause yellow teeth: Pop and soda are often included in many people’s daily beverage consumption. Whether it’s regular or diet, soft drinks can harm our teeth. These beverages contain significant amounts of sugar, citric acid and phosphoric acid. All of these things weaken the enamel; leaving it vulnerable to decay and discolouration.
Tip: While regular pop has a lot of sugar, diet sodas are just as bad for your oral health. Next time you find yourself reaching for a pop, try a natural fruit juice or opt for a large glass of water. Decreasing the consumption of soft drinks can help improve your overall health and oral health.
3. Chocolate and candy can make your teeth yellow: We all probably have a stash of our favourite candy or chocolate in our desk at work or in our snack drawer at home. These sweets are often very high in sugar, flavourings and manufactured colouring. Chocolate can lead to stains while hard candies will have a lasting impact on your oral health as they stay in contact with your teeth for long periods of time. The longer it takes to eat, the more damage it does to our teeth.
Tip: We all like our favourite treats and eating them in moderation is okay for us. However, limiting the consumption of these foods is a smart decision in your pursuit of great oral health. If you do decide to indulge, you might want to brush afterwards to remove the build up of sugar on your teeth.
Next Steps
Do you have questions about how to make your teeth whiter or want to schedule check-up, teeth cleaning or routine exam? Contact us directly! Our team looks forward to seeing you.
And don’t forget to follow Dr. Maryam Adibfar on Facebook, Google Plus and Twitter for the latest dental tips, tricks and advice!
A BONUS Just for You!
When you refer a friend, family member or colleague to our office, you’ll receive a $25 gift card to a favourite local coffee shop.
Simply contact our Davisville dental team directly to make a referral! Now that you know how to combat stains, you can enjoy your coffee or tea to the fullest.