Yellow teeth: symptoms, causes, ways to whiten, etc.

Definition

What are yellow teeth?

Yellow teeth is one of the teeth and mouth problems that people often complain about.

Tooth color will tend to turn yellow and dull with age, but its appearance can be accelerated by many factors. Starting from daily habits such as drinking coffee to a history of certain diseases.

Besides looking dull, yellowing teeth also interfere with appearance. You may be reluctant to smile broadly or talk to people around you.

Signs & Symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of yellow teeth?

The signs and symptoms of yellow teeth are very easy to observe. Discoloration can occur in just one tooth, several teeth at once, or the entire row of teeth above and below.

The yellow hue can be different between each tooth and each person. Your teeth may be yellowish white, dark yellow, to blackish brown.

Usually yellowing of the teeth is accompanied by other oral disorders, such as bad breath, caries, or cavities.

When to see a doctor

Yellow teeth are not a serious medical problem. Even so, discoloration of your teeth can often be the main sign that you have oral and dental problems.

So, don't underestimate this condition. If not treated properly, this condition can lead to severe tooth decay.

In principle, consult a doctor immediately when you experience:

Severe sharp toothache
Sensitive teeth
Teeth bleed easily
Bad breath
Tooth loss for no apparent reason

Cause

What causes yellow teeth?

The original color of human teeth is not brilliant white like milk or porcelain.

Natural tooth color tends to be yellowish white and slightly translucent. This yellowish white color comes from the enamel layer, which is the hard and strong outer layer of the tooth.

Unfortunately, this enamel layer can erode and fall off when you brush your teeth too hard, often eat acidic foods, and so on.

When the enamel layer is eroded, the dentin layer is exposed to the outside environment. Dentin itself is the middle layer after the enamel which is yellow in color.

Exposed dentin is what makes your teeth yellowish in color.

Risk Factors

What are the risk factors for yellow teeth?

This is supported by the statement of Harold Katz, DDS, dentist and founder California Breath Clinics in Prevention which explains that in addition to genetic factors and certain diseases, yellow teeth can be caused by your daily habits that erode enamel.

Therefore there are many factors that can cause your teeth to turn yellow. The following include:

1. Rarely brush your teeth

Plaque buildup is at the root of all problems affecting the teeth and mouth.

When you rarely brush your teeth and flossing, Your teeth will look even more dull because plaque is not removed.

2. Certain foods and drinks

Frequently drinking coffee, tea, and other drinks that contain caffeine can cause your teeth to turn yellow.

The high caffeine content in coffee, tea and energy drinks can erode tooth enamel if consumed in excess (2-3 times a day) and continuously.

While other drinks such as soda in carbonated drinks contain acids which also have the same effect on teeth as coffee and tea.

High doses of caffeine can stain the enamel layer. In addition, drinks that contain caffeine also tend to have acidic properties. Prolonged exposure to acids can damage teeth and cause teeth to change color.

Eating foods and drinks that contain artificial dyes and are high in sugar can also cause the same thing.

Therefore reducing consumption of tea, coffee and soda is an important part of dental health care.

3. Brushing your teeth too hard

Many people often brush their teeth too hard because they think this will make their teeth cleaner.

In fact, brushing your teeth too hard can actually damage the enamel layer, exposing the yellow dentine layer.

This is because the pressure in brushing the teeth will damage and erode the thin enamel layer and expose the dentin layer, so that the teeth turn yellow.

4. Smoking

Smoking is one of the most common causes of yellow teeth. Toxins in cigarettes, such as tartar and nicotine, also affect the color of your teeth. This effect can be seen immediately in a very short time.

Heavy smokers can even have brownish or even black teeth after years of smoking. In principle, the longer and more you smoke cigarettes, the more concentrated your teeth will be.

Many are now turning to vape or electronic cigarettes. Those who switched thought that vape cigarettes would be safer and would not cause yellow teeth.

In fact, vape cigarettes still contain the same nicotine content from tobacco as regular kretek cigarettes.

Smoking, both e-cigarettes and tobacco cigarettes, is also confirmed to turn teeth yellow through research published in journals BMC Public Health. This study involved a sample of 6,000 adults in the UK.

As a result, 28 percent of smokers reported experiencing tooth discoloration up to 15 percent faster and more yellow than nonsmokers.

5. Too often use mouthwash

Mouthwash is indeed effective for cleaning the mouth from food debris that slips between the teeth and at the same time freshening the breath. Unfortunately, many mouthwashes on the market have high acid levels.

If used too often in large quantities, the mouth will become dry and eventually damage tooth enamel.

Whereas saliva plays a role in keeping mouth moist, reducing acidity, paralyzing bad bacteria, and preventing stains from sticking to the enamel.

We recommend that you consult your doctor first to get advice about mouthwash that suits your teeth condition and the limits for using the mouthwash. Because the use of mouthwash too often is also associated with diabetes.

6. Aging

As we age, the enamel coating that protects teeth slowly erodes and fades. As a result, a yellowish layer of dentin will appear.

The yellow color can be darker if you have a number of other dental problems, such as caries, cavities, and so on.

7. Certain drugs

Without realizing it, the medicines you take every day can also cause your teeth to change color. Some of the drugs that most commonly cause discoloration of teeth include:

Tetracycline and doxycycline antibiotics
Glibenclamide
Chlorhexidine mouthwash
Certain antihistamine drugs
Antipsychotic drugs
Medicine for high blood pressure

8. Certain medical history

Some diseases that affect the enamel and dentin layers can also cause stains on the teeth. Even treatment for certain conditions can cause similar things, for example, radiation to the neck and chemotherapy.

Infections experienced by pregnant women can also affect the development of fetal enamel later. This enamel disorder allows the child to have teeth that are more yellow than usual.

Diagnosis & Treatment

How to diagnose yellow teeth?

Yellow teeth can be diagnosed by a physical examination by a dentist. The dentist will ask you to open your mouth for some time. Then the doctor will compare the color of your natural teeth with the teaching teeth.

During the examination, your doctor may ask about your medical history and how you care for your teeth. Your doctor may also ask you about all the drugs you have been taking recently.

Tell your doctor about any medications you are currently taking. Whether it's supplements, vitamins, prescription drugs, to herbal medicines. If necessary, the doctor can perform dental x-rays and other examinations to confirm the diagnosis.

What are the treatments for yellow teeth?

Yellow stains can be disguised by a number of medical treatments. Here are options for how to get rid of yellow teeth or whiten teeth at the dentist that you can try.