Why Do Teeth Become Yellow with Age?

You’re brushing your teeth twice a day like you’re supposed to do. You haven’t had any cavities in a long time. You even floss every day.

But when you look in the mirror, you notice your teeth are starting to look yellowish. You miss the bright white of your teeth when you were younger.

What gives? Why are your teeth becoming yellow even though you take care of them?

The truth is, there are several natural reasons your teeth can look yellowish as you age. At Portrait Dental, our expert team helps patients with this issue every week. Here’s what you need to know about keeping your teeth white.

What makes your teeth become yellow?

Let’s start with the middle of your teeth. Though it may not be as well-known as enamel, the majority of your tooth is made up of a substance called dentin that sits between enamel on the outside and pulp on the inside. Enamel is the hardest substance in the body, but dentin is even harder and denser than bone.

The color of dentin can vary, but it’s most commonly a pale yellow color. As you age, the outer layer of tooth enamel gradually becomes more and more transparent, revealing the dentin underneath, which causes your teeth to appear more and more yellow. 

What else can cause your teeth to be yellow?

Your teeth can appear more yellow over time as well if you have a habit of eating or drinking substances that can stain your teeth, such as red wine, coffee, soda, and tomato sauce. 

Smoking cigarettes and chewing tobacco can also turn your teeth yellow —- tobacco tends to stain whatever it touches. Some medications can lead to yellow teeth over time, and injury or trauma to a tooth can also cause discoloration.

How can you treat yellow teeth?

So, given all these causes of yellow teeth, are there any fixes to the problem? Of course!

First, make sure you don’t skip your regular cleanings at the dentist. These are vital for keeping your teeth clean, clear, and white. 

At Portrait Dental, we offer a couple of options when it comes to brightening the color of your teeth. Our in-office teeth whitening procedure can make your smile up to eight shades whiter, or you may want to consider veneers, which are thin porcelain shells that bond to the front of your teeth. They match your natural teeth, they cover any stains or yellowing, and they’re highly resistant to staining themselves.

If your teeth are yellowing and you’re ready to do something about it, Dr. Minh Nguyen and the team at Portrait Dental are ready to help! Just contact our office by phone or with our online scheduler to set up an appointment, and you’ll be one step closer to sparkling teeth!