Yellow teeth can be frustrating when you stick to a daily brushing routine. You’re not alone if you’re left wondering why your smile still lacks that sparkling whiteness. Some people find that their teeth aren’t as white as they’d like, despite good oral hygiene habits.
Yellowed teeth have many causes. These include controllable factors, like what you eat and whether you smoke, and unavoidable things, like aging and genetics.
Brushing your teeth may also not be enough if you have tartar, which can give your teeth a yellowish appearance and can only be removed by a professional. However, people who want whiter teeth have options, such as professional whitening and veneers.
Tooth Discolouration: What You Need to Know
Before you blame your toothbrush, it’s important to understand that tooth discolouration can happen for many reasons. Dentists often classify tooth discolouration as extrinsic and intrinsic:
- Extrinsic stains are more likely to affect just the enamel, the thin outer layer of your teeth. These stains typically come from substances that come into contact with your tooth’s surface, such as food, drinks, and tobacco.
- Intrinsic stains begin inside the tooth, affecting the dentin underneath your enamel. These discolourations are harder to remove and often appear greyish.
There are also age-related reasons for tooth discolouration. As people get older, their teeth may look more yellow as the enamel gradually erodes. Unfortunately, you can’t fix age-related changes with good brushing because everybody ages!
Causes of Yellow Teeth
If you’re wondering why your teeth are yellow, here are some possible reasons.
Food & Drink
Dark-coloured foods and beverages are among the top offenders for staining teeth. Beverages that stain include red wine, coffee, and tea. Foods that stain teeth include red sauces and chocolate.
Tobacco Use
People who smoke or chew tobacco have a higher incidence of tooth discolouration: 28% compared to 15%, according to one study. Brown stains are associated with tobacco use.
Poor Oral Hygiene
Stains stick to dental plaque, a sticky layer of bacteria that forms over your teeth. Plaque is normal, but if it’s not regularly cleaned, it can lead to more serious problems like cavities and gum disease.
Aging & Genetics
With time, enamel naturally thins, revealing the yellowish dentin underneath. It’s a natural process that happens to everyone, even those with excellent brushing habits.
Sometimes, it’s in your DNA. You can inherit a different tint or more translucent enamel, causing a naturally more yellow or greyish hue.
Health Conditions & Medications
Health conditions associated with teeth discolouration include liver and celiac disease, eating disorders, metabolic conditions, and calcium deficiency.
Meanwhile, antihistamines and drugs used to treat hypertension are linked to teeth discolouration. Antibiotic use during childhood, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy are other treatments associated with discoloured teeth.
Why Brushing Isn’t Always Enough
Brushing and flossing can control plaque, but plaque can turn into tartar if not removed regularly. Tartar is a hard, crusty deposit, and it’s associated with yellow, brown, or black stains.
Unfortunately, you can’t remove tartar with at-home flossing and brushing. A professional cleaning is required to remove tartar.
Dealing with Yellow Teeth
A yellowish tint to your teeth can be frustrating, but you have options to protect or enhance your smile’s radiance.
Preventing Stains
You can’t necessarily prevent intrinsic factors like aging, genetics, and medical conditions. But there are steps you can take to minimize superficial stains.
Maintain Good Oral Hygiene
The Canadian Dental Association recommends flossing once a day and, ideally, brushing after every meal or at least once before you go to bed.
Rinse Your Mouth
Try getting into the habit of rinsing out your mouth after consuming foods and beverages that stain; this can help reduce discolouration.
Quit Smoking
Smoking or chewing tobacco can cause unsightly brown stains. Quitting isn’t easy, but it brings numerous health benefits. There are also many resources available to Ontarians who are interested in quitting.
Treating Stains
When you want to renew your smile’s brightness, but your brushing and flossing habits aren’t doing the trick, there are other options available.
Professional Teeth Whitening
Professional whitening treatments can work effectively on extrinsic stains, and, sometimes, intrinsic stains, too. Professional teeth whitening often uses a substance like hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide to remove stains from the surface of teeth.
The appointment takes approximately an hour and 30 minutes. While results vary from person to person, you can enjoy brighter teeth for 2–5 years after treatment.
Porcelain Veneers
Veneers are thin but durable shells permanently attached to the surface of the teeth. They can cover stains and other imperfections. Veneers can last a long time, typically requiring replacement every 5 to 15 years.
Veneers are custom-made and designed to blend in with the rest of your teeth.
Your Teeth Whitening Options in Markham
When your teeth have a yellowish tint or discolouration, no matter how often you brush, it isn’t necessarily a sign of poor oral hygiene. Tooth discolouration can have many causes, including daily habits, natural aging, or genetics.
Brushing and flossing are essential for oral health, but they’re not always enough to keep your smile stain-free.
Cosmetic dental services like professional whitening at Markham Dental can help patients achieve a brighter smile. We also offer porcelain veneers and smile makeovers. Book an appointment today at Markham Dental to learn more about your cosmetic dentistry options.
Specialty Servicesfor Every Smile
Sleep Better, Breathe Better
Start your home sleep study today with no family doctor referral needed. Through our partnership with Resolve Health, you can complete a convenient WatchPAT ONE home sleep test from the comfort of your home, followed by personalized care from our team.
From oral appliances and CPAP support to myofunctional therapy and airway-focused treatment, we provide comprehensive solutions for children and adults.
Train Your Muscles, Improve Your Sleep
Our myofunctional therapy programs retrain the tongue, lips, and facial muscles to support nasal breathing, reduce snoring, and improve airway function. We work with children and adults to build long-term habits that benefit sleep, oral posture, and facial development.
Straighten Teeth, Support Healthy Breathing
We offer comprehensive orthodontic care for all ages, including braces and Invisalign. Beyond aesthetics, our approach improves bite, jaw function, and airway health, helping both children and adults achieve a healthy, functional smile.
Relieve Jaw Discomfort and Improve Function
Our TMJ treatment addresses jaw discomfort, clenching, and muscle tension using tailored therapies. From bite adjustments to neuromodulator support, we focus on restoring jaw function and reducing discomfort for a better quality of life.
Relax Facial Muscles, Improve Comfort
Neuromodulator treatments like Jeuveau/Neuceiva can reduce tension in the jaw and face, relieve TMJ discomfort, treat migraines, and refine fine lines. Our team customizes treatments for both therapeutic and aesthetic benefits.
Replace Missing Teeth with Stability and Function
Our dental implant services, including all-on-4 implants, restore missing or damaged teeth for a secure, natural-feeling smile. Implants support bite function, improve chewing and speaking, and prevent bone loss. Our team provides personalized planning, guided surgery, and ongoing support for long-lasting results.
What SetsMarkham Dental Apart
We approach your care differently, with a focus on health, function, and long-term prevention. At Markham Dental, we are:
We look beyond your teeth, incorporating assessments like blood pressure, airway and tongue analysis, and sleep screening to better understand how your oral health connects to your overall well-being.
With denturists, prosthodontists, orthodontists, and general dentists working together, your care is coordinated, comprehensive, and tailored to your needs.
Every exam is designed to be in-depth and intentional, with advanced assessments included at no additional cost, so nothing is overlooked.
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Come Visit Usin Markham
You can find us on Woodbine Avenue, with plenty of parking available outside the clinic. We look forward to seeing you!
Our Address
- 8241 Woodbine Ave, Unit 17
- Markham, ON L3R 2P1
Contact Information
- Phone: (905) 470-0220
- Fax: 289-806-1423
- Email: info@markhamdentalhw.com
Hours of Operation
Markham Dental
- 8241 Woodbine Ave, Unit 17
- Markham, ON L3R 2P1
- Phone: (905) 470-0220
- Fax: 289-806-1423
- Email: info@markhamdentalhw.com