Why Are My Teeth Yellow Even Though I Brush Them?
You brush your teeth twice a day, use a good toothpaste and take care of your smile – so why do your teeth still look yellow?
It’s a very common concern, and yellow teeth don’t necessarily mean that your teeth are dirty or unhealthy. The natural colour of your teeth is influenced by several factors, including genetics, diet, age and the thickness of your enamel.
At Manor Dental in Hull, we regularly see patients who would like a brighter smile but aren’t sure why their teeth have become yellow or discoloured. Here are some of the most common reasons.
1. Your Natural Tooth Colour
Not everyone naturally has bright white teeth.
Underneath the outer layer of your tooth (the enamel) is a layer called dentine, which naturally has a more yellow appearance. Enamel is slightly translucent, so the colour of the dentine underneath can affect how white or yellow your teeth appear.
Some people naturally have thinner or more translucent enamel, meaning more of the yellow dentine underneath is visible.
This means you could have excellent oral hygiene and perfectly healthy teeth that still aren’t naturally bright white.
2. Foods and Drinks Can Stain Your Teeth
Even with regular brushing, certain foods and drinks can gradually cause staining.
Common culprits include:
- Coffee
- Tea
- Red wine
- Cola and dark fizzy drinks
- Curry and strongly coloured sauces
- Berries
Drinking and eating these regularly can cause pigments to build up on the surface of your teeth over time.
You don’t necessarily need to stop enjoying them altogether. Drinking water afterwards and maintaining good oral hygiene can help reduce staining.
3. Smoking and Tobacco Products
Smoking is one of the most common causes of tooth staining.
Nicotine and tar can cause yellow or brown staining to develop, particularly around the gumline and between the teeth.
Professional cleaning may help remove some external staining, although deeper changes to the colour of the teeth may require professional whitening if you want to brighten your smile.
4. Your Teeth Naturally Change Colour as You Age
Teeth can naturally become more yellow as we get older.
Over time, the enamel on the outside of our teeth can become thinner, allowing more of the naturally yellow dentine underneath to show through.
This is completely normal and can happen even if you’ve looked after your teeth very well throughout your life.
5. Brushing Doesn’t Actually Whiten the Natural Colour of Your Teeth
One of the biggest misconceptions is that brushing harder or more frequently will make your teeth whiter.
Brushing is incredibly important for removing plaque and maintaining healthy teeth and gums, but standard toothpaste cannot significantly change the natural internal colour of your teeth.
It is also worth noting that whitening toothpastes also don’t provide the same type of whitening as professional teeth whitening and are just very abrasive on your enamel.
In fact, brushing too aggressively or frequently using highly abrasive toothpastes could contribute to enamel wear, so it’s important not to scrub your teeth in an attempt to make them whiter.
6. You May Have Tartar or Surface Staining
Sometimes teeth look more yellow because of a build-up of tartar or staining rather than the actual colour of the teeth themselves.
Once plaque hardens into tartar (calculus), it can’t simply be brushed away at home.
A professional dental cleaning can remove tartar and some surface staining, which may immediately make your smile appear cleaner and brighter.
7. Some Medications and Medical Factors Can Affect Tooth Colour
Certain medications and factors during tooth development can affect the colour of the teeth.
For example, some types of antibiotic exposure while teeth are developing can cause internal discolouration. Trauma to a tooth can also sometimes cause an individual tooth to become darker than the surrounding teeth.
If you’ve noticed that one tooth has suddenly become darker, grey or yellow, it’s worth having it assessed by a dentist rather than simply trying to whiten it yourself.
Should I Use a Home Whitening Kit?
There are lots of whitening products available online and in shops, but it’s important to be careful.
In the UK, tooth whitening is considered a dental treatment and stronger whitening products should be provided following an appropriate dental assessment, by a qualified Dentist or Dental Therapist only.
At Manor Dental Hull, we can assess your teeth and gums first to make sure they’re healthy and determine whether whitening is suitable for you.
Professional home whitening typically involves custom-made whitening trays that fit closely over your teeth and professional whitening gel supplied with instructions from your dental team.
This allows you to gradually brighten your teeth from the comfort of your own home.
Will Teeth Whitening Work for Everyone?
Not necessarily.
Professional whitening can be very effective at brightening natural teeth, but crowns, veneers, composite bonding and fillings will not whiten in the same way as natural tooth tissue.
This is particularly important if you have restorations on your front teeth, as they may need to be considered when planning whitening treatment.
The final shade can also vary between patients depending on the original colour and characteristics of their teeth.
How Can I Keep My Teeth Looking Brighter?
Alongside professional treatments, there are several things you can do to help prevent staining:
- Brush twice daily with a fluoride toothpaste.
- Clean between your teeth every day using floss or interdental brushes.
- Attend regular dental examinations and hygiene appointments as recommended.
- Limit frequent consumption of heavily staining drinks.
- Drink water after coffee, tea or other staining foods and drinks.
- Avoid smoking.
- Don’t brush excessively hard in an attempt to whiten your teeth.
Want a Brighter Smile?
If you’re unhappy with the colour of your teeth, don’t assume you’re doing something wrong with your brushing.
Yellow teeth can be caused by natural dentine colour, genetics, ageing, staining and many other factors. The best way to find out what is causing the discolouration is to have your teeth assessed professionally.
At Manor Dental in Hull, we can assess your smile, discuss what’s causing the colour of your teeth and talk you through suitable options, including professional teeth whitening where appropriate.
