
You’re standing in the bathroom, leaning super close to the mirror, turning your head side to side. Those teeth aren’t movie-star white, and suddenly you’re wondering – is something wrong? Are all teeth supposed to look like they’ve been bleached, or is a little yellowish tint actually okay?
Great news – what you’re seeing is totally normal. Most people’s teeth aren’t blindingly white, and there are totally reasonable explanations for slight discoloration. This guide will break down everything you need to know about tooth color, what’s healthy, and when you might want to chat with a dentist.
What Makes Teeth Look Yellow? The Natural Reasons
Now, let’s discuss the reasons that lead to teeth not being the perfect white seen in Hollywood. The color of your teeth is influenced by many captivating and completely natural elements. First, tooth enamel thickness plays an essential part in the appearance of your teeth, especially when it comes to how yellow or white they look.
Enamel is not uniformly thick, and it’s the most translucent part of your tooth. When it’s thinner, the dentin—the part of the tooth that gives it color—shows through more distinctly. And dentin has a kind of yellow hue that isn’t necessarily an indicator of poor dental health.
Yellowing teeth are a normal part of getting older. As with everything else in the human experience, our dentition is subject to the ravages of time.
The color change that happens to our teeth as we go through life is nothing more than a reflection of the natural history of granting us our formative or youthful years. We all know that the body changes with age—this is just a normal part of that process.
Tooth color has a strong genetic component. Some people inherit a yellower shade of tooth color from their parents. Tooth shade, much like hair and eye color, is a trait that is passed down through families. While some families have very white teeth, others have a more yellow or off-white base color that they tend to pass along to their children.
Is Your Diet Causing Tooth Discoloration?
Most people do not realize that food and drink have a dramatic effect on tooth color. Coffee and tea are two of the biggest culprits when it comes to staining teeth.
“Those morning lattes? They’re slowly but surely leaving their mark on your pearly whites,” says one expert on the subject. Another major offender is red wine. With its deep pigments, red wine is easily able to penetrate tooth enamel.
Discoloration can also result from certain spices and foods. Turmeric, for example, is famous for its ability to dye things an almost intense yellow color that can easily stick to teeth. Smoking is the most aggressive external factor for causing teeth to yellow. The combination of tar and nicotine can rapidly and substantially change the color of teeth.
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When Yellow Might Mean Something More
What is the ordinary tooth color, and what are the ordinary changes that occur in tooth color over time? The color of natural teeth can vary greatly and is usually a shade of off-white. The greatest shift seen in the normal aging process is from off-white to gray.
From a regulatory standpoint, the American Dental Association indicates that loose, off-white or grayish tissue must not stay attached to otherwise healthy teeth. Still, many people retain an appearance of health with their own graying teeth.
There can be, some color changes can indicate underlying health issues. Medications, certain medical conditions, and even some treatments can affect tooth color. A dentist can help determine whether your tooth discoloration is just a natural process or something that needs medical attention.
Simple Ways to Maintain Tooth Color
Now let’s discuss maintaining the appearance of those teeth. Proper brushing technique is not just essential, but also simple. It’s all in the wrist, really. Use gentle, circular motions and don’t forget the back of your front teeth, where there’s molar-like stuff that needs a little more than just a cursory swipe to remain healthy.
You could use a timer and brush for the length of two pop songs (at least four minutes), or simply hum the most obnoxious aria you can think of while brushing. The electric toothbrush, a more technologically advanced version of its manual forebear, can also perform the act of brushing.
Teeth whitening methods stretch from drugstore strips to salon-level procedures. The latter achieve the most eye-catching results but are also the most expensive.
On the other hand, drugstore preparations can be effective, especially when used regularly. In terms of maximizing their tooth color, individuals can round out their dental aesthetic regimen by simply drinking more water and less of the cola and coffee that are otherwise slated for human consumption. And if humans are determined to drink those beverages, using a straw might be the best way to enjoy them without staining teeth.
Your secret weapon is routine dental cleanings at our local dental office. These professional cleanings remove surface staining and help maintain your overall tooth health. Dentists can give you specific, personalized advice and address any concerns you have about the color and health of your teeth.
Remember, your teeth are unique – just like you. A little variation in color is not just normal, it’s human. Focus on keeping them healthy, and the rest will follow.