Teeth looking a little yellow?
There could be a few reasons why, but before we get into them let’s get one thing straight: teeth are not always meant to be perfectly white.
If your teeth are bright white, it doesn’t necessarily mean they’re healthy.
And if your teeth are a bit yellowish, it doesn’t necessarily mean they’re unhealthy.
There are several factors that make up the color of your teeth - some of which are under your control and some of which are not.
Let’s look at some of the reasons behind why our teeth can appear yellow and go over some tried and true ways to make sure they’re the whitest and brightest they can possibly be!
Where do our teeth get their color?
Your teeth are made up of four layers:
- Enamel (the outer layer)
- Dentin (the middle layer)
- Pulp (the innermost layer where all of the nerve endings are located)
- Cementum (the root of the tooth)
Now because the enamel is the outermost layer, you may think it’s the one responsible for determining your tooth color, but it’s not. Enamel is translucent.
What really gives your teeth their color is the dentin. And no matter how hard we try to fight it, dentin tends to be a bit yellowish - and the intensity of its color is something you’re born with.
A person whose dentin is lighter, will naturally have teeth that appear whiter. A person with a darker-colored dentin will naturally have teeth that appear to be a little more yellow.
That’s precisely why you can’t compare your teeth to the loads of veneer-wearing celebrities who paid dearly for their smiles. Natural teeth often aren’t that perfectly white or perfectly shaped or perfectly straight.
But that’s ok because our natural smiles are beautiful! So with that in mind, here are some ways we can make our natural smiles the most radiant they can possibly be.
#1: Quit Smoking
This one comes in at reason number 166,000 to quit smoking but nonetheless, here it is.
Tobacco contains chemicals that weaken the surface of your teeth, which causes them to become more easily stained and appear more yellow.
#2: Cut back on coffee and soda
This one’s not fun to hear, but the reality is that if you’re drinking coffee and soda several times a day, over time, your teeth will become stained. If eliminating them is out of the question, consider cutting back or drinking them through a straw so they don’t come into direct contact with your teeth.
#3: Stop grinding your teeth
While most of the time you can’t outright control this habit (because it happens when you’re sleeping), there are ways to diagnose and treat it. Whether you get a mouth guard, relieve some stress, or find a good medication, treating bruxism (grinding) is essential to avoid aging your teeth faster than they normally should.
#4: Cut back the sugar
Sugar is terrible for your teeth. The bacteria that causes tooth decay feeds on left behind sugar from food and drinks. If you feel like you can’t eliminate sugar, at least cut back, and make sure you’re still eating all of the nutrients necessary for your teeth to regenerate healthy again.
#5: Use whitening strips
These are over-the-counter and readily available. The amount of hydrogen peroxide they contain is large enough so they whiten your teeth, but small enough so they don’t cause any damage.
#6: Develop a great oral care routine
When you brush your teeth, brush for two full minutes. Floss at least once a day and replace your toothbrush every 90 days. There are also some cool teeth-whitening home remedies you can add to your regimen like oil pulling.
#7: Schedule regular appointments with your biological or holistic dentist
Holistic dentists truly understand and appreciate how nutrition and lifestyle decisions affect your teeth. They’re uniquely suited and eager to help guide you through your oral care routine as well as advise you on your overall lifestyle.
Dr. Jason Chang, owner of Live Well Dental Center in Bellevue, Washington says,
“I chose dentistry for the same reason I chose the holistic, minimally invasive approach: I like the fact that I can impact people’s lives in a positive way. I love my work. I get to educate people; work with them on their oral and overall health; it can really change their life… it’s exciting!”
Alright, time to take action! Live your best life and get your healthiest, brightest smile by making an appointment with one of our holistic dentists today.
