Shades of Health: Understanding the Meaning of Yellow Teeth

67% of Americans are self-conscious about their teeth. 57% aren’t satisfied with their color.

This comes from an issue with how they think they’ll be perceived. They think others will judge them as having not only less dental beauty but also poor dental hygiene.

Are yellow teeth healthy? Read on to learn the answer and how you can improve the color of your teeth.

Are Yellow Teeth Healthy?

Teeth are made of a translucent material known as enamel. Behind it lies the yellow layer known as dentin. The thickness of your enamel determines your natural tooth color.

With that in mind, are yellow teeth healthy? They are as long as their color isn’t a sign of deeper dental health issues. It all depends on where it’s coming from.

What Makes Teeth Yellow?

There is no such thing as an ideal teeth color, and you can have healthy yellow teeth. The stains may have come from trauma, diet, harmful habits, or even medication or diseases.

Trauma

A serious accident that affects your mouth may leave your teeth yellow. This is true even if there wasn’t enough force to break a tooth.

Dental trauma can crack the enamel layer and damage the inside. This can lead to dental discoloration.

Dental Hygiene and Diet

Proper dental hygiene gets rid of yellow plaque, but using the wrong products can leave you with another problem. Using too much fluoride can cause yellow spots known as fluorosis.

Sugar isn’t the only part of your diet that can affect your teeth. Look for foods and drinks that stain or chip away at enamel such as:

• Coffee and tea
• Tomato or soy sauce
• Berries
• Alcohol
• Curries
• Balsamic vinegar
• Citrus juices and fruits
• Sodas
• Sports drinks

Harmful Habits

34 million American adults smoke cigarettes. They have over 7,000 chemicals including nicotine and tar that get into the pores of tooth enamel and ruin their color.

Bruxism is the medical term for grinding your teeth, typically while under stress or sleeping. It can weaken tooth enamel and cause it to crack and turn yellow.

Medication

Antibiotics like amoxicillin and tetracycline affect tooth color. It’s especially common in children.

Allergy drugs can have the same effect on adults. So can radiation or chemotherapy and diseases of the liver.

How Can I Whiten My Teeth?

Are you tired of seeing a yellow smile? Do you suspect it may be a sign of deeper issues with your oral health? Visit an office like Toccoa Falls Dental.

Professional teeth whitening can be done in the office. There are also products you can take home such as trays.

There are also permanent alternatives. Dental bonding involves placing a tooth-colored resin over any spots. You can also put a shell known as a porcelain veneer over any yellow teeth.

How Else Can I Care For My Teeth?

Are yellow teeth healthy?

Teeth aren’t naturally white. They have a yellow layer beneath them known as dentin. It’s not always a sign of poor dental health if it comes to the surface.

Other causes include diet, smoking, medication, and genetics. Professional whitening treatments can help you get a beautiful and healthy smile.

Read the rest of our content for more tips on caring for your teeth.