On many occasions, our patients come to the consultation with the desire to have white teeth and without knowing why their teeth have turned yellow. The darkening of the enamel is something totally reversible (as long as it is not caused by a blow or trauma) and there are techniques that allow to obtain a much more aesthetic white color. Continue reading and find out why!
Main causes of yellow teeth
Food: There are many foods that contain color pigments. These foods wear and can stain the color of the teeth in a very slight way. Some of them are coffee, wine or red fruits such as raspberries.
Lack of hygiene: Lack of oral hygiene is one of the biggest causes of yellow teeth. If we do not carry out a correct cleaning of the teeth, the bacteria accumulated in them will crystallize and form a yellowish layer called tartar.
Tobacco, medicines and drugs: Tobacco is one of the habits that does the most damage to oral health. Its consumption not only greatly darkens the teeth but can cause bad breath and many other serious problems.
In addition to tobacco, there are other drugs that are harmful to dental health, that destroy the tissue of the tooth and that damage the patient’s teeth in an exaggerated way. Also, some medications have as adverse effects the acceleration of wear and color alteration.
Aging: Teeth darken as time goes on. This darkening occurs because food and tooth rubbing progressively weakens the enamel layer and causes the dentin (of a darker color) to emerge.
Genetics: As in so many other things, having a genetic tendency to have yellowish teeth is also a possibility.
What solutions are there?
As we read earlier, we now know the most important variables that cause tooth darkening. But really, what solutions are there? There are multiple techniques within dental aesthetics that help whiten teeth.
Professional cleaning: The first option when cleaning our teeth goes through an exhaustive cleaning by an oral hygienist. This cleaning, logically, goes far beyond what can be done at home. Cleaning by itself does NOT whiten teeth, but releases them from tartar and stains from tobacco or coffee, leaving the enamel clean with its natural color.
Teeth whitening: This technique is the most requested and known by patients. To apply it, it is essential to have previously carried out a professional cleaning to completely eliminate tartar and stains that may exist. Through perfect hygiene and control of the food we consume, we manage to extend the duration of the treatment a lot.
Dental veneers: They have a purely aesthetic goal. Dental veneers are very thin sheets that adhere to the tooth and provide solutions to problems such as tooth darkening, the position of the teeth or the shape.
But we know that there is nothing better than having good oral hygiene and taking care of your diet. Remember that you are not alone, we can help you solve your oral problems, contact us and schedule your appointment with us so that you look a beautiful smile, but above all healthy.
