Why do teeth turn yellow?

Too many cigarettes, alcohol, coffee, and carbonated drinks. Poor oral hygiene. Tooth decay and trauma. But age and genetics also play a role.

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Yellow teeth are unsightly, and not just aesthetically. They can indicate external factors, even temporary ones (like coffee or tea), but they're also the result of internal factors, ranging from age to the condition of the tooth. 

Let's start by answering a preliminary question: Why yellow? The main reason is that dentin, the layer beneath the enamel, is naturally yellowish. Enamel is almost transparent, allowing the dentin to show through. Furthermore, when the enamel thins with age or wear, the yellowness of the dentin becomes even more evident.

And let's come to the most frequent causes. 

  • Consumption excessive use of coffee, tea and tobacco, especially cigarettes. But also carbonated drinks, chocolate and licorice.
  • Il smoke It's definitely a factor in yellowing teeth. Tar and nicotine stain teeth yellow and brown.
  • Poor cleanliness Periodic tooth decay. Accumulation of plaque, or even tartar, causes a person's smile to appear yellowish. 
  • Plaque deposits tartar, also due to the fact that they don't brush their teeth after eating.
  • Tooth decay and trauma. In this case, too, everything stems from poor care and poor prevention. The onset of a cavity can darken a tooth and make it yellow. 
  • Advancing ageThis is an inevitable factor in the yellowing of teeth. Over the years, the enamel becomes thinner and allows the dentine, an inner layer that is naturally yellow.
  • Genetics. Some people are born with thinner enamel or darker dentin. 
  • Medicines. The use of some antibiotics or even too much fluoride can alter the color of your teeth. 

To prevent your teeth from becoming yellower, you can above all limit external stains and protect the enamel:

  • Brush your teeth twice a day for about 2 minutes with fluoride toothpaste.
  •  Use dental floss or interdental brushes every day.
  • Limit, when possible, coffee, tea, red wine and tobacco, which can stain teeth.
  • After highly pigmented or acidic drinks, drink a glass of water.
  • Avoid brushing immediately after highly acidic foods or drinks: wait about 30 minutes to protect the enamel.

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