I Brush My Teeth Everyday, Why Are They Still Yellow?

So you do everything right: brush your teeth diligently, use the right products, and you’re still seeing your smile get yellow.

What’s going on?

Well, a couple of different things. Keep reading to understand what actually causes tooth staining and discoloration and what you can do to whiten your smile.

Common Causes of Yellow Teeth

Your teeth can become yellow or any other shade because of:

• Plaque and tartar buildup: Sometimes, even with daily brushing, patients aren’t able to remove all bacteria and food from the mouth. Over time, this leads to plaque and tartar buildup, which can cause the teeth to appear yellow.

• Smoking and vaping: These lifestyle choices don’t just affect your health. They can also lead to tooth staining, making the teeth yellow or brown.

• Dietary choices: Certain foods and drinks can stain the teeth or erode enamel, especially if you don’t brush them right away. If your teeth are yellow, it could be because of acidic foods like citrus fruits, or beverages with artificial coloring, like sodas and certain fruit juices.

• Medical conditions and treatments: Some illnesses or their treatments can also change the color of your teeth. Even antibiotics can lead to yellow teeth.

How to Whiten Your Smile

There are several ways you can improve the color of your smile:

1. Professional dental cleaning

A professional dental cleaning can remove the plaque and tartar buildup from your teeth and make them appear whiter. These cleanings also help reduce the risk of cavities and gum disease, which is why dentists recommend getting them once every six months.

2. Professional teeth whitening 

If dental cleanings don't work, professional teeth whitening might. You can get either in-office treatments or professional kits to use at home. 

Unlike OTC solutions, professional treatments use stronger and more effective whitening agents that can safely remove stubborn stains and lift a few shades from your teeth.

3. Veneers

Severe staining and discoloration might be too much for professional whitening solutions. But you can still get that picture-perfect smile with veneers, which are thin shells made of porcelain or composite resin that get attached to the front of your teeth.

Veneers can also fix other cosmetic imperfections, such as gaps between teeth, tooth shape and size, and more.

4. Dental crowns

Dental crowns are usually used as part of restorative dentistry, so they’re not recommended for perfectly healthy teeth.

But if you have a tooth that’s both discolored and stained, a custom dental crown will help you kill two birds with one stone.

Get a Healthy and Stunning Smile with Stevens Dental’s Help

If your teeth are yellow and you want to learn your options, come meet our Baton Rouge dentist Dr. Kasan Stevens for a short consultation to get a personalized treatment plan. 

Request a visit to Stevens Dental online and stop by to learn how to get a whiter smile. 

Have more questions? Call us at (225) 291-2111 for a short chat.

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