Why do teeth turn yellow?
Teeth can turn yellow for a variety of reasons, including: • Aging (years of cumulative stain and the wear of the outer, white enamel layer of the teeth over time) • Heavy consumption foods and beverages that are more likely to stain (including: red wine, dark teas, coffee, vegetable juices, hot chocolate, soy sauce, etc.) • Smoking • Poor oral hygiene (which creates a thick coat of a yellowing plaque or tartar) • Heavy Grinding (which can wear away the enamel to reveal the yellower layer of tooth structure beneath) Please note that the most common cause of this yellowing is due to poor brushing, which builds up this plaque and tartar, which is more likely to hold the stain than the tooth’s enamel. Once the teeth are cleaned, the yellow often disappears. Whitening is only effective for brightening the enamel itself, and will not do anything for teeth that are not properly cleaned.
