While yellow teeth aren’t the worst things a smile can face, they still don’t do your looks any good. You should correct them so your grin looks great for the current spring season. With that said, you’ll need to know what causes these discolored bits before you can get them fixed. Your Waverly cosmetic dentist is here to make sure that happens. So, read on to learn about the sources of yellow teeth and how best to treat a stained smile.
Causes of Yellow Teeth
Whatever you may have thought, yellow teeth aren’t caused by just one thing. Their discoloration can come from a wide range of sources, including:
- Poor Oral Care – Unless you brush and floss consistently, plaque and tartar will build up on your teeth. This debris will then darken your enamel until the latter turns yellow.
- Foods & Drinks – Some foods and drinks contain stain agents, which can make teeth look yellow. Notable examples include berries, tomato sauce, red wine, coffee, and tea.
- The Aging Process – Your teeth will often turn yellow as their enamel is worn away. After all, this age-related wear and tear makes your dentin more visible.
- Tobacco – If you smoke or chew tobacco, you’ll likely end up with stained teeth. The nicotine in tobacco products is often absorbed by enamel, which then turns yellow or brown.
Yellow Teeth Treatment Options
If you want a brighter smile, you should look into cosmetic dentistry. It offers various treatment options that can remove or hide your grin’s yellow stains.
Stain Removal
When a smile only looks slightly yellow, the best move is teeth whitening near you. This option relies on a special bleaching gel to remove stains directly from your enamel. In most of today’s dental offices, it’s offered either through an in-office treatment or a take-home kit.
Regardless of its type, you can expect teeth whitening to make your grin six to eight shades brighter. This result will last for several years with good oral care and checkups.
Stain Cover-Up
If your yellow teeth stem from hard-to-remove stains, you should consider covering them. Cosmetic dentistry has several ways to hide discoloration with tooth-colored material. When these substances are placed on your smile, they blend seamlessly and make your whole grin look lighter.
Cosmetic dentistry’s main “cover-up” options are dental bonding and veneers. With the first option, a dentist applies tooth-colored resin onto the affected teeth; this material then hardens and color-matches adjacent areas. Meanwhile, veneers hide stains beneath porcelain, tooth-colored shells.
Having learned the causes of yellow teeth, you’re now in a better position to treat them. Just see your dental provider and get the relevant procedure(s)!
About the Practice
Smiley Family Dentistry is based in Waverly, IA. Led by the amazing Dr. John Smiley, our practice works closely with every patient to give them thriving grins. We specifically tailor our preventive, cosmetic, and restorative treatments to ensure they meet your mouth’s needs! That way, you and your family will sport the healthy and beautiful smiles you deserve. For more details or to book a visit, please contact us on our website or by phone at (319)-352-2270.