Wonder why are my teeth yellow when i brush them everyday, no matter your daily oral hygiene routine, you even brush them twice every single day! We will dive into the several reasons and treatments through this article.

You could now book a FREE Consultation at Sauve Clinic to get an accurate diagnosis from the experts and discuss the treatment options according to your budget and expectations.

Are Yellow Teeth a Sign of Poor Oral Health?

We can never confirm that Yellow teeth are generally a sign of poor oral health, but it is simply either a cosmetic issue that may reveal deeper health problems or just a natural variation in tooth color based on factors like the thickness of your tooth layers, dentin, and enamel. 

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What Causes Yellow Teeth Even When Brushing Them?

First, you should know that the natural colour of your teeth comes from the layers inside them.

1. The first layer (Enamel): its color ranges from pearly white shades to yellow, radiolucent, and it shows through what is underneath.
2. The second layer (Dentin): Darker layer supports the enamel and naturally ranges in shades from pale yellow to light grey.

The level of yellow shades in our teeth depends on how thick our enamel is — the thinner the enamel, the more dentin shows through.
Away from normal variations, some factors affect your tooth colour greatly, either due to external factors or internal causes.

Here is a list of the most common reasons for tooth discoloration: 

1. External superficial factor, caused by something that comes in contact with your teeth:

• Diet: Pigmented food and beverages, like coffee, tea, red wine, and certain berries, contain chromogens, compounds that stick to enamel and leave stains. 
• Acidic foods & drinks: Consuming acidic items, like citrus fruits or sodas, causes erosion of enamel over time. This thinning of the enamel makes the underlying yellow dentin more visible.  
• Smoking & tobacco products: Nicotine and tar found in tobacco can leave long-lasting, stubborn stains on your teeth, turning them yellow or brown. 

Knowing that Smokers report higher levels of moderate to severe tooth discoloration, making them dissatisfied with their tooth color.

• Excessive Use of At-Home Whitening Treatments:  Although it’s possible to whiten your teeth with your own teeth whitening methods, we cannot guarantee that it’s as safe or effective as professional teeth whitening solutions. 
  Some at-home products contain dangerous chemicals that can damage teeth beyond repair, causing issues much more extensive than yellow teeth. If you insist on whitening your teeth on your own, please choose a whitening product with the ADA Seal of Acceptance to ensure safety and efficacy. 

• Poor oral hygiene practices: Skipping regular brushing and flossing can allow plaque and tartar to build up, leading to bacterial growth that traps stains on enamel, which causes teeth to look more yellow along the gumline.

2. Internal deep-rooted factors, caused by something inside your teeth or body, often not a specific tooth, but a large set of teeth, and may extend to the full dentition:

• Tartar buildup & decay: Plaque that hardens into tartar can darken teeth. 
• Fluorosis: Excessive fluoride, either from environmental sources (naturally high fluoride levels in water) or from excessive use ( Fluoride applications, rinses, toothpaste, and fluoride supplements taken by mouth during tooth development can lead to streaking or spotting, making teeth appear mottled.  
• Medication effects: Certain treatments may help in tooth discoloration, such as:
  • Head and neck radiation and chemotherapy may help with tooth discoloration. 
  • certain infections in pregnant mothers can lead to tooth discoloration in their babies by affecting enamel development.
  • Some antibiotics, like tetracycline and doxycycline, are known to discolour teeth when given to children whose teeth are still developing at the age of 2-4 years old, or given to pregnant mothers.
  • Mouth rinses and washes containing chlorhexidine and methylpyridinium chloride can stain teeth. 
  • Antihistamines (like Benadryl), antipsychotic drugs, and drugs for high blood pressure also cause teeth discoloration. 

• Old Dental material fillings: Some of the materials used in dentistry, such as amalgam restorations, especially silver sulfide-containing materials, can cause Amalgam tattoo or a gray-black color to teeth. 
• Trauma: For example, damage from a fall can disturb enamel formation in young children whose teeth are still developing. Trauma can also cause discoloration to adult teeth.
• Genetics: Enamel thickness or normal tooth shade can be influenced by hereditary factors.
• Bruxism: Bruxism, or involuntary teeth grinding and clenching, is an unconscious habit that is quite destructive to enamel, causing deterioration to the point of fracture, besides yellowing of tooth color.
• Dark or greyish colour of the tooth after being treated by root canal treatment. 
• Age-related: Dental enamel naturally wears down due to aging or certain conditions over time, increasing the visibility of yellow dentin.

Can yellow teeth turn white again?

Yes, sure! Treatment options to whiten teeth can vary depending on the cause of the discoloration and may include the following:

Options that you can do yourself, and you should never miss:

• Limit staining foods & drinks: Moderation with coffee, tea, and wine, along with rinsing your mouth after consuming them, can help prevent stains.  
• Avoid smoking: Quitting tobacco products will not only improve tooth colour but also boost overall oral health.  
• Stay hydrated: Drinking water frequently throughout the day reduces plaque accumulation and washes away staining particles.  
• Using over-the-counter approved whitening agents. However, be aware that they might make your teeth sensitive. So, if your gums get irritated, talk to your dentist immediately.
• In-home whitening agents purchased from your dentist and followed up by him, such as: Products like hydrogen peroxide strips or whitening trays.
• Using tooth brushing and flossing techniques:

To clean your teeth  professionally like a dentist,
here are 3 tips:

1. Know the science of your mouth, food remnants and their bacteria turn into a sticky film called plaque that over time calcifies, forming calculus, and it can’t be removed with a toothbrush.
2. It’s not the toothbrush that matters; it’s the technique.

• Get a toothbrush you like and will use regularly.
• Choose bristles based on your gum health. 
• Replace your toothbrush every few months.

3. You have to brush twice daily and floss before or after each time with the correct technique.

Not sure you’re brushing the right way? We suggest seeing our dental hygienist every six months, and at least once a year — even if these visits make you anxious, to avoid more complications.

Options that you can consult your dentist for:

• In-office whitening procedures: If you get your teeth bleached at your dentist’s office, it may take one or more visits. They will put a protective gel or rubber shield on your gums and then apply a bleaching agent to your teeth.
• Composite Bonding: A dentist or prosthodontist fuses material to stained areas of your teeth to change their color or shape.
• Dental veneers: A dentist or prosthodontist puts a thin shell of material over the entire front of your tooth to change the color or shape.

A healthy, white smile is on everybody’s wish list. So, if your teeth have stains that are getting in the way of a great smile, fight back.

At Sauve Clinic, we believe that attractive smiles are the ones you wear confidently. If you’re concerned about tooth discoloration or would like advice on maintaining a healthy mouth, you are welcome to our personalized dental services to meet your needs.