Teeth naturally begin to discolor with age, as enamel wears and yellowish dentin underneath begins to show through. Here are 11 causes of yellow teeth

Teeth naturally begin to discolor with age, as enamel wears and yellowish dentin underneath begins to show through. Yellow teeth may also be caused by a combination of genes, medication history, past illnesses, and addictions.

11 causes of yellow teeth

1. Genes: One reason your teeth are yellow may be that it runs in your family. If one of your parents has yellow teeth, you are more likely to inherit the trait.
2. Smoking: Frequently smoking or chewing tobacco can lead to yellow teeth.
3. Antibiotics: If you have taken a high dose of antibiotics (tetracycline group) in childhood, it can stain your teeth as they emerge from the gums. According to the National Institutes of Health, if your mother took antibiotics in the second half of her pregnancy or if you took them before 8 years of age, you may have permanently stained adult teeth.
4. Accidents: An accident that resulted in physical trauma to the teeth can lead to cracked tooth enamel, damaged tooth interior, bleeding, and tooth discoloration.
5. Illness: Illnesses such as jaundice or infection can erode the enamel and cause yellow teeth.
6. Fluorosis: Fluorosis is a condition in which yellow or brownish yellow spots develop on your teeth because of excessive fluoride use. Regarding the use of fluoride toothpaste or supplements, always follow your doctor's advice.
7. Enamel erosion: Your teeth get older as you age, with enamel wearing away over time. Most teeth turn yellow or greyish as due to enamel thinning.
8. Dentin: Dentin is a deep yellow or brownish material found beneath the enamel of your teeth. When dentin is visible through your teeth, they appear yellow. Dentin can be concealed by thick enamel, but this does not always prevent stains from accumulating on the surface.
9. Plaque buildup: Plaque can actually permanently stain your teeth if not removed on a regular basis.
10. Foods: Teeth can be stained by a wide range of foods. Pigments in tomatoes, curry spices,and berries adhere to tooth enamel and stain the surface. Even salads with balsamic vinegar dressing can cause tooth discoloration.
11. Drinks: Common causes of yellow teeth are coffee, tea, red wine, and white wine. Other drinks that contain artificial flavor may also cause yellow teeth.

How to get rid of yellow teeth

Brushing and flossing

This is probably the most important thing you can do to keep your teeth white. A good oral hygiene routine involves brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing at least a day. Whitening toothpastes and mouthwashes are optional.

Natural remedies

Natural methods for whitening yellow teeth include using baking soda and hydrogen peroxide, apple cider vinegar, and lemon peels. However, these are not scientifically proven to work.

Professional whitening

Getting professional teeth-whitening procedures will likely yield the best results. Whether you get a laser treatment or another type of whitening service, this may be the safest option because everything is overseen by highly trained dental professionals who use cutting-edge instruments.

At-home whitening kits

At-home whitening kits typically use a combination of professional-grade whitening gel and LED light technology to help accelerate the whitening process. Whitening strips and gels use peroxide-based gels.

Regular dentist visits

You should visit your dentist at least twice a year. This allows them to clean your teeth more thoroughly than you would at home, and they can detect dental problems that may be contributing to yellow teeth.