Many factors can cause teeth to become yellow, including tobacco use, poor diet, and certain medications. These stains cannot be removed with brushing or flossing alone. Professional treatments are only available at a dentist’s office.
Avoiding yellow teeth can be done by maintaining good oral hygiene and avoiding certain factors that can contribute to tooth staining. Let’s discover more about it in this extensive guide on how to avoid yellow teeth.
Avoid foods and drinks that can contribute to yellow teeth
Staining from food and drinks is the most common reason for stained, yellow teeth. Many foods contain chemicals that can stain your teeth.
Avoid these products to prevent staining:
- Coffee – drink it through a straw or use milk instead of cream (milk contains casein which acts as a natural teeth whitener). Check out this article on how to remove coffee stains from teeth.
- Cola – drink diet cola instead; it doesn’t contain sugar. It also helps if you rinse your mouth after drinking cola with water before brushing your teeth. Consider using a straw to minimize contact with the teeth for those who like to drink cola.
- Tea – as surprising as it can be, tea can be responsible for yellow teeth. While it is difficult to answer why tea stains teeth here, know that tea stains can appear in case of regular consumption.
- Red wine – use a straw when drinking red wine. Also, rinse your mouth out with water before brushing your teeth to remove any surface stains. Consider using dental implants or veneers if you cannot quit drinking red wine.
- Red meat – it is difficult to digest. It leaves behind debris on the teeth, including sulfur compounds that attach themselves to the enamel, making it look yellow after eating red meat regularly.
- Citrus fruits – they are acidic and can stain your teeth if eaten in excess or too often. They also contain sugar that creates plaque when ingested.
Other foods can also contribute to tooth staining. Eating some foods can make your teeth appear darker, while others can cause more white spots to form on your teeth.
Avoid smoking, as it can stain your teeth over time
Smoking not only can cause oral cancer, but it also affects the teeth and gums. The chemicals in cigarettes are absorbed by the tissues lining your mouth, along with any food you eat. This includes nicotine, tar, lead, cyanide, arsenic, and benzene.
Smokers are more likely to have periodontal disease than non-smokers because smoking damages the gums. Also, smokers are more likely to develop yellow teeth over time due to staining from toxins found in cigarette smoke which attach themselves to tooth enamel while you smoke or chew tobacco products.
How can I remove stains?
You cannot avoid staining completely if you do not want to give up some of your favorite foods or drinks. However, you can clean your teeth regularly to remove surface stains and maintain a beautiful smile.
The best way to reduce staining from food and drinks is by brushing after each meal with a whitening toothpaste. Whitening toothpaste contains ingredients that help break down the lipids, proteins, and minerals that cause discoloring on your teeth. It is important not to swallow these products as they are only for topical application on the teeth, gums, and tongue.
If you check out this dentist in Greenville, they will also advise you to wait for at least 30 minutes before brushing your teeth after every meal. Doing so will give your enamel to remineralize and won’t be prone to brushing off when you clean your teeth.
Should I visit a dentist?
You will need to visit your dentist in Penrith, if you cannot remove stains through brushing, flossing, and rinsing. They can provide you with more information on how to prevent tooth discoloration. Your dentist can also help you choose which whitening products and procedures will work best for your teeth.
