No one wants a yellow tint to their pearly whites. Unfortunately, yellow teeth are one of the most common dental issues out there! This is because there is a list a mile long of all the factors that can cause dental discoloration. Luckily, thanks to modern cosmetic dentistry, it’s never been easier to achieve the dazzling smile you deserve! Read on as we go over the top six issues and habits that cause yellow teeth in Longmont, and what your options are for treating them!
1.) Eating Too Many Dark-Colored Foods
Do you eat a lot of blueberries or soy sauce? Do you drink a lot of coffee, tea, or wine? These foods and drinks are some of the most notorious culprits behind a discolored smile. They contain natural sugars and acids that weaken the enamel and make it easy for the dark-colored particles to seep in and cause tooth stains. Fortunately, a professional in-office or take-home teeth whitening treatment can break up even the toughest diet-related dental discoloration.
2.) Natural Wear Over Time
Even though enamel is incredibly strong, it’s not indestructible. It’s only natural for your enamel to wear down after years of eating, talking, and going through everyday life. As the enamel wears away, the teeth become more susceptible to discoloration. A professional teeth whitening service is a great way to turn the clock back on your smile and lift years of stains.
3.) Smoking & Tobacco Use
Tobacco isn’t good for your overall health or your oral health, including the color of your teeth. These substances are filled with highly-pigmented molecules that linger and soak into your pearly whites. Discoloration from smoking or tobacco use will need specialized whitening treatment from a professional to make any noticeable progress. In some cases, a different cosmetic option may be a better choice.
4.) Overexposure to Fluoride in Childhood
Fluoride is a champion against tooth decay, but being exposed to too much of it as a child can cause your permanent teeth to develop with an uneven color tone. This “natural stain” can sometimes be hardly noticeable, but other times it can leave quite a mark on your smile. While a professional teeth whitening treatment can sometimes help in these cases, a more effective choice may be something like dental bonding or veneers.
5.) Genetics
Do bad teeth run in your family? Studies show that yellow teeth can sometimes be passed down via certain genetic conditions. This type of tooth discoloration doesn’t usually respond to teeth whitening, including powerful, professional-grade teeth whitening. Instead, it’s often a better choice to erase that discoloration with veneers or dental bonding.
6.) Poor Oral Hygiene at Home
The number one more common cause of yellow teeth is simply not brushing or flossing enough. These simple daily routines are essential for clearing away all the particles in your mouth that would otherwise stain your pearly whites. Depending on your case, more frequent professional teeth cleanings or a dentist-recommended whitening toothpaste may be enough to restore the shine to your smile. Otherwise, an in-office whitening treatment or a take-home whitening kit can help you achieve the brilliant smile you deserve!
About the Practice
Longmont Complete Dentistry has been family owned and operated since 1995. We are dedicated to helping each of our patients achieve the healthy, beautiful smiles they deserve with attentive and personalized dental care. While we do everything we can to help prevent yellow teeth, we’re proud to offer professional teeth whitening and other cosmetic services to help virtually erase dental discoloration. To learn more, we can be contacted online or at (303) 772-7000.