We’re going to draw the line here: having yellow teeth isn’t especially bad for your oral health. However, it may be making you self-conscious, unsure of yourself and your smile, and a smile is one of the most important forms of communication (as well as being important for general health), so why would you want to go without one?
Thankfully, teeth whitening treatments have come a long way in recent years, restoring that gorgeous smile and giving you the confidence you need to show it off!
But what causes yellowing? Well, there are many different reasons our dentures become discoloured, and it’s good to have a knowledge of them in case you’ve over-indulged in any of these leading factors and have noticed a few recent stains…
Here are the leading causes of tooth discolouration:
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Smoking
Okay, well we know smoking is bad for our heart, lungs, mouth, throat, eyesight etc. and it should come as absolutely no surprise that it is also one of the leading causes of tooth discoloration. The main causes for this are the nicotine and tar found in cigarettes, which attach themselves to the tooth’s enamel and, consequently, leaving them that unfortunate colour that is synonymous with cigarette addiction.
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Aging
This is simply an unpleasant side effect of being exposed to particular food and drinks over years. Age-related yellowing, although highly unavoidable, can still be dealt with through the best teeth whitening procedure available.
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Medications
Particular medications can cause yellowing, so it is important to consult your GP or dentist and ask them if the particular medication you take can cause yellowing. After all, this can be a sneaker way for this to occur, and you may have had absolutely no idea that medication can cause yellowing, so it’s best to check and be sure.
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Excessive grinding
Grinding is an unfortunate habit that many people adhere to and find very hard to break. Whether you’re aware of it or not, grinding can cause your enamel to break down, thus opening the doors for some serious yellowing and the likes of which may require treatment!
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Excessive fluoride
Although fluoride has a primary function of improving oral health through strengthening enamel, excessive fluoride can have the opposite effect, essentially bombarding the mouth with the chemical and thus causing speckles and stains.
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Dietary problems
It should come as little surprise that there are numerous foods out there that can cause yellowing, including:
- Berries
- Dark soft drinks
- Curry spices
- Tomatoes
- Black coffee
- Wine
If you consume any of these in excess and have noticed a change in your colouring, one of them could easily be the leading culprit, it may be best to to avoid consuming them as much if you think this is the case.
How can I avoid yellowing?
Yellowing is not something we want to experience, and thankfully there are a few things we can do to limit its effect on our oral aesthetic, including:
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Reducing foods that cause yellowing
It’s best to avoid excessive consumption of foods that cause yellowing, limiting these products is the first way to avoid this annoying problem.
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Use a whitening toothpaste
Whitening toothpastes are a real winner when it comes to alleviating this annoying issue. Use a whitening toothpaste to ensure your dentures do not succumb to this annoying problem.
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Rinse your mouth
Especially after consuming any foods that could cause extra yellowing.
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Receive a treatment
Teeth whitening treatment can restore your smile to a bright, vibrant aesthetic. If you feel that you may need this treatment then it is a good idea to consult your oral health expert!
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