Why Do I Have White Spots on My Front Teeth?
If those white spots on the front of your teeth bother you, we have an exciting new treatment that can help. Keep reading to find out why the spots are there and what we can do about them.
5 Reasons Your Teeth Are Turning Yellow
Yellow teeth are not your friend.
They don’t look good in pictures, they drain your self-confidence, and in some cases, they indicate an oral health problem.
The good news? You can do something about yellow teeth. But it helps to understand why your teeth are yellow in the first place.
At Smile Design Manhattan in New York City, we’ve dealt with many patients over the years who have yellow teeth. Here are five common reasons why.
Genetics
Genetics can play a significant role in the color of your teeth. Your genes determine the shade and thickness of your enamel (the outer, protective layer of your teeth). Some individuals naturally have enamel with a more yellowish tint.
The genetic makeup of dentin, the layer beneath the enamel, can also affect your tooth color.
Wear-and-tear
The dentin we just mentioned is naturally yellowish or brownish. Over time, this layer may become more visible as your enamel thins due to wear-and-tear from chewing or erosion from drinking acidic beverages. As dentin becomes more visible, your teeth look more yellow.
Smoking
Just about everyone knows this, but smoking is notorious for causing teeth to look yellow. The tar, nicotine, and other chemicals in tobacco can stain the surface of your teeth as the brown and yellow residue builds up over time.
Food and drink
What you eat and drink can play a significant role in yellowing teeth. Drinks and foods that are highly pigmented (berries, dark sauces, tomatoes, coffee, tea, etc.) contain chromogens, compounds that cause your enamel to stain.
Acidic food and drink (citrus fruits, sodas) weaken enamel, making the dentin more visible. Also, a diet high in sugar can lead to plaque buildup and eventual tooth discoloration.
Trauma
A severe injury or traumatic impact can cause tooth discoloration. Trauma damages blood vessels in your tooth, leading to internal bleeding and eventually causing your tooth to turn yellow or gray.
Trauma can also cause fractures in the enamel, which contributes to the yellowing as well.
Treating yellow teeth
Depending on which of these reasons fits your situation, we have solutions. We offer the Philips Zoom!® in-office whitening system to give you a whiter smile.
We can install veneers to cover your teeth and provide a whiter, natural-looking smile. We can also replace individual teeth using dental implants and crowns.
If you’d like to explore your options for treating yellow teeth, call our Midtown office or book your appointment online today.
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