You brush your teeth, floss regularly, use mouthwash and take all the necessary precautions, but still the teeth are not becoming whiter. Sounds familiar? You may be thinking, Why Are Teeth Yellow After Brushing Regularly? You are not alone in this struggle. Many desire to have a whiter and better-looking smile. In order to achieve this, they focus on brushing their teeth in a “proper” way. Though brushing regularly has a lot of benefits, and this may sound like a simple solution for your yellow teeth, the reality is something else, so let’s find out why simply brushing your teeth might not be enough if you want to get a whiter-looking smile.

Why Are Teeth Yellow Even After Brushing Regularly?

Let me start with something that might surprise you: your teeth were never meant to be milky white. I know, I know - those Instagram smiles have us all convinced otherwise. But naturally, teeth have a layered structure. The outer white part is called enamel; beneath that, you have your dentin, which is naturally yellow in colour. Inside dentin, you have pulp, which contains your nerves. Enamel is translucent, and some people are just born with thinner enamel, which means more of that yellow dentin shows through.

It is like having a thinner coat of paint over a yellow wall; the colour underneath is going to peek through no matter how much you scrub. This means that at times, your natural tooth colour is yellowish, and it has nothing to do with something being stuck on your teeth. So, brushing isn't the solution you are looking for!

At times, the enamel is worn out, which makes the yellow colour of the dentin appear more from beneath the enamel. So, if a yellow tooth is healthy, i.e., without any decay or damage, it can be just as strong as a white tooth. However, if enamel erosion or other pathology causes the tooth to become yellow, the tooth might be weakened, not because it’s yellow, but because the protective enamel is compromised.

Causes of Yellow Teeth:

• Diet: Sometimes, the yellow stains on your teeth are formed because of what you eat and drink on a daily basis. Consuming dark coloured drinks, including red wine, coffee and tea, can cause stains on the teeth.
• Tobacco Use: People who consume tobacco or smoke tend to develop stains on tooth surfaces. This happens because of the tar and nicotine, which are difficult to remove by brushing alone.
• Medicines: Certain types of medicines, including iron supplements, can contribute to the development of stains.
• Dental Restorations: Many times, dental restorations containing amalgam may show through the enamel of the teeth. If the appearance is bothering you, we recommend that you replace it with a more aesthetic alternative.
• Ageing: As we age, our enamel thins down. This makes the dentin present beneath the enamel appear more.
• Routine Oral Hygiene: It is important to brush your teeth using proper brushing technique, covering all the surfaces of the tooth. Also, one must use a fluoride-containing toothpaste and change the toothbrush once it becomes frayed. If you don't follow the correct way of brushing teeth, you may deposit plaque, which will eventually make your teeth appear yellow. Also, remember that brushing properly is crucial here, as over-brushing your teeth can damage the enamel, and your teeth will appear yellow because of the appearance of dentin from within.

Avoiding the causative factors is the key to attaining a whiter and healthier smile.

Remember, it is not always that the cause of yellow teeth is external; it can often be due to internal reasons. Hence, there is a distinct difference between internal and external stains, which are treated by dentists differently.

How to Get Whiter Teeth:

The initial step is to schedule your appointment with your dentist. Our Team of dental experts at Signature Smiles can help you find the reason behind your yellow teeth and make them look more aesthetic in a safe manner. This step is extremely important as your dentist can find the reason behind your yellow teeth and suggest some safe and secure ways to get a whiter smile.

The common ways to get a whiter & better–looking smile are:

• Teeth Whitening: In-office teeth whitening performed under the observation and guidance of your dentist can yield good results and make your teeth several shades whiter.
• Lifestyle and Maintenance: Performing routine professional dental cleaning, called "scaling", is extremely important as it prevents the buildup of plaque and tartar in the mouth. It prevents the formation of extrinsic stains. Also, stick to routine cleaning by brushing and flossing your teeth regularly.
• Dental Restorations: If your yellow teeth are because of the dentin showing through your damaged enamel, then you can go for various cosmetic dental restorations, including veneers.

Conclusion:

Having yellow teeth isn't bad! In fact, it is extremely natural, as many people present around the world have it naturally. If you wish to make your teeth whiter, brushing them really hard is definitely not the solution. You need to find the cause of your yellow teeth, which may be due to some internal reasons that may need treatment. A dentist is the best person to identify the cause behind your yellow teeth and suggest an appropriate treatment plan. It may range from professional teeth whitening to cosmetic dental restorations, depending on your needs. Still have queries? Schedule your treatment at Signature Smiles Dental Clinic to get the best possible guidance and treatment for your yellow teeth today!

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. I brush every day—why are my teeth still yellow?

Honestly, you might just have naturally yellow-ish teeth. The outer layer of your teeth, called enamel, is translucent. Underneath the enamel, there is dentin, which is naturally yellow. If your enamel is a bit thinner (which is super common), that yellow tint just shows through more. Also, there might be some other causes that you can resolve. To find out the reason behind your yellow teeth, schedule your dental consultation today!

2. Does yellow mean unhealthy?

Not necessarily, no. Some people have totally healthy teeth that just aren’t bright white. It's only something to worry about if there's damage going on, like decay or enamel erosion.

3. What foods and drinks stain teeth?

The usual suspects are coffee, tea, and red wine. Basically, anything dark or acidic. The annoying part is that even if you brush regularly, those stains can build up slowly and stick around, causing your teeth to catch stains over time.

4. Is smoking really that bad for teeth colour?

Smoking leaves behind some stubborn stains. The nicotine and tar? Brutal on teeth. And no, brushing isn’t enough; you need to get your teeth cleaned professionally. The best solution is quitting smoking, though!

5. Can brushing very hard make them more yellow?

Scrubbing your teeth a lot can actually wear away your enamel. Thinner enamel means more yellow shows through. So, we will always recommend that you gently brush your teeth, covering all the surfaces, twice a day. This habit will keep your teeth clean and healthy.

6. Do teeth just get more yellow with age?

Unfortunately, yes. Enamel wears down over the years, and that yellow dentin underneath starts to peek through more.

7. Can your medicines mess with your teeth colour?

Absolutely. Certain types of medicines can stain your teeth—iron supplements are a common one. If you notice changes after starting something new, it’s worth checking in with your dentist.

8. Will whitening toothpaste actually whiten my teeth?

It helps a little bit. Whitening toothpaste containing charcoal can remove surface stains, like those from coffee or food, but it won’t magically change the actual colour of your teeth. These toothpastes can abrade your teeth in the long term, thus making it a risky option for the health of your teeth. To make your teeth whiter, you will have to take the professional route and consult a dentist.

9. Surface stains vs. natural yellow—what’s the deal?

Good question. Surface stains sit on the outside of your teeth, often caused by coffee or tobacco build-up. But if your teeth are yellow because of dentin (that inner layer), that’s just how your teeth are made. No amount of scrubbing will change that.

10. When should I see a dentist about this?

If your teeth are suddenly way more yellow or you are just not happy with how they look, go ahead and book an appointment at Signature Smiles dental clinic. Our experts will let you know what is going on and what your options are.