Have you recently looked in the mirror and wondered why your teeth aren’t as white as they once were? Here, we’ll explain some of the most common reasons why your teeth might be turning an unsightly shade of yellow.
- Smoking
- Dentin Exposure
- Certain Beverages
- Bruxism & Teeth Clenching
- Genetics
You know how bad smoking is for your body, but it’s also terrible for your smile. Nicotine can leave brown or yellow stains on the surface of your teeth. The only wait to prevent these stains is to avoid or stop smoking completely!
Dentin lies beneath your teeth and is naturally deep yellow in color. As your enamel thins, the dentin starts to show through, causing your teeth to look more yellow. You can promote strong and healthy enamel by maintaining superb oral hygiene practices (brush and floss daily and visit us every six months for a professional cleaning), drinking fluoridated water, and eating a diet high in calcium, niacin, riboflavin, vitamin C, vitamin D, potassium, and phosphorus.
Most people know that coffee and tea can stain your teeth, but there are a lot of other drinks that can also cause tooth discoloration. Acidic drinks, like soda and alcohol, dissolve your teeth’s enamel and expose your dentin, while sports drinks and wine (red and white) can stain your teeth. Many cocktails, like a Bloody Mary, have pigments that cling to and discolor your enamel. Minimize potential discoloration by drinking water with these beverages or by chewing sugarless gum afterward to wash away any particles that have staining potential.

