Why are my teeth yellow when I brush them everyday?
People have the impression that teeth should be white, which is not valid. Even if you brush teeth twice daily, every day, there are a few factors why your teeth may not achieve the whiteness you desire. Even though ‘whiter teeth’ are frequently mentioned as one of the advantages of cleaning your teeth regularly and thoroughly, most people with yellow teeth will see no difference even if they brush twice a day.
Before we take a look at why the teeth could still have yellow coloration despite daily brushing
twice, let’s consider the types of tooth stains that could occur.
Types of Tooth Stains
Tooth stains are either extrinsic or intrinsic.
Extrinsic Stains
Extrinsic stains are those that show on the outside of your teeth. They’re usually brought on by smoking and eating or drinking particular foods. Maintaining good dental hygiene and minimizing your consumption of teeth-staining foods can help prevent extrinsic stains. Teeth whitening therapies, such as ZOOM or bleach trays, can brighten a smile that external factors have stained.
Intrinsic Stains
Intrinsic stains occur within teeth and are more difficult to remove. These are frequently encountered in teeth that are necrotic (dead) or have already received root canal therapy. Small cracks can also produce intrinsic stains by allowing food, liquids, and nicotine to enter the tooth and discolour it from the inside out. Antibiotics, bleeding within the tooth, tooth rot, too much fluoride, or heredity can all cause them.
Traditional teeth whitening procedures can help with intrinsic staining, but the benefits aren’t always long-lasting. Veneers are especially beneficial to patients who have inherent tooth discoloration. Dental veneers are custom-made, wafer-thin coatings that adhere to the front surfaces of your teeth. They conceal the stained tooth and can last up to 15 years, far lengthier than any teeth whitening therapy!
Why Are My Teeth Yellow When I Brush Them Everyday
Having examined dental tooth stains, below are some reasons why the teeth could still be yellow despite frequent brushing.
Poor Oral Hygiene
The first is poor oral hygiene (but if you’re brushing every day, this likely isn’t why your teeth are yellow). People with poor oral hygiene rarely brush, use mouthwash, and floss.
External and Internal Stains
External staining from coffee, tea, or wine use, smoking, and other tobacco usages, is the most common cause of tooth discoloration. Coffee, tea, and wine are all high in chromogens, which attach to our teeth and stain them. In contrast, nicotine with oxygen generates a yellow colour that deposits into tooth enamel, rendering it yellow or brown with time. External stains are one of the most frequent causes of tooth discoloration and cannot be eliminated simply by brushing.
If you’ve had a dental trauma or injury, on the other hand, you may be left with an interior discoloration that isn’t improved or erased by brushing. Internal stains are typically darker in colour than the conventional yellow stain left by a beverage or nicotine. Bruising in the tooth causes these stains, which might end in a dark or grey tooth.
Habits and Brushing
If your brushing practice doesn’t measure up, any stains or yellowing of your teeth may increase. Brushing twice a day is fine, but you must ensure that you clean all of your teeth to avoid problems. Dental floss will also make sure that you reach the portions of your teeth that would otherwise go unnoticed and put you at risk. But, if you brush your teeth too hard, you risk weakening your enamel, exposing more of the dentin layer of your teeth, and causing discoloration. Soft toothbrushes are always preferred over medium or hard toothbrushes.
Aging, Genetics, and Health
Even if you maintain a good brushing routine, likely, your enamel will gradually wear away as you age, leaving you with yellow teeth. This yellowing is complicated because some of us are born with an extraordinarily thick enamel covering. In contrast, others have a relatively thin layer due to our genetics. Your overall health plays a role in the colour of your teeth; for example, nutritional deficiencies and cancer treatments are likely to turn your teeth yellow, irrespective of how well you brush and care for them.
Medication
Have you recently started a new drug, or are you receiving treatment for a severe illness? Some medications and therapies, such as asthma and high blood pressure, can cause tooth discolouration as a side effect. Certain medicines, in particular, can discolour the teeth of children. Reports show that the medicines tetracycline and doxycycline can disrupt enamel production in children under eight.
Furthermore, Chlorhexidine and cetylpyridinium chloride mouth rinses and washes can also discolour teeth. Moreover, teeth discolouration can also be caused by antihistamines, antipsychotic medicines, and antihypertensive medications. If you clean your teeth every day but still can’t get a white smile, look into any medications you’re on. Look for “tooth discolouration” in the list of adverse effects and discuss alternatives with your doctor.
Treating Yellow Teeth
If you brush every day but can’t seem to brush your way to a bright white smile, you might be
wrestling with extrinsic or intrinsic teeth stains. These stains will be tough to get rid of on your
own.