Yellow teeth and tooth discoloration can be caused by extrinsic or intrinsic culprits. However, they can also be inherited from birth.
What are yellow teeth?
Tartar is the term used to describe solid deposits on the teeth that cannot be removed by brushing. It consists mainly of apatite, proteins and carbohydrates and is one of the most common tooth discolorations. In general understanding, yellow teeth and tooth discoloration are defined as non-white and yellowish-brown discolored, sometimes stained teeth. All teeth may be equally affected or only certain teeth may be affected. For example, artificial or dead teeth are more prone to becoming yellow teeth and showing tooth discoloration. Even if yellow teeth and tooth discoloration are considered more of a cosmetic problem, in individual cases they can indicate other conditions.
Causes
In most cases, yellow teeth and tooth discoloration are due to behavioral causes. Those who like to drink black tea, coffee and Rooibos tea do not have to be surprised about yellow teeth and tooth discoloration. Yellow teeth and tooth discoloration are also common in smokers. So-called extrinsic tooth discoloration summarizes all influences coming from outside. Frequent eating of carrots or lack of dental hygiene after coffee or nicotine consumption can cause yellow teeth and tooth discoloration in the long run. It is easier to remove such tooth discoloration if you practice proper oral hygiene. In the long run, careless oral hygiene causes yellow teeth and tooth discoloration. Yellow teeth and tooth discoloration can be the result of certain dental materials. For example, plastic fillings stain more easily than real teeth due to extrinsic factors. This can result in tooth discoloration. It is also important to note that certain medications or antibiotics can cause yellow teeth and tooth discoloration. Braces that are too tight can also result in yellow teeth and tooth discoloration. Intrinsic tooth discoloration is caused by naturally occurring dark discoloration and is hereditary. Yellow teeth and tooth discoloration do not necessarily require a medical diagnosis. Most of the causes are due to poor oral hygiene. Yellow teeth and tooth discoloration can be treated by bleaching. Yellow teeth and tooth discoloration get worse with age. Real teeth are preferable to artificial dentures despite possible tooth discoloration. If yellow teeth and tooth discoloration are present in children, they may be decayed milk teeth. In this case, it is worthwhile to question drinks, eating habits and oral hygiene, so that the course of tooth discoloration can be influenced.
Diseases with this symptom
- Bronchitis
- Drug allergy
- Pulmonary emphysema
- Nicotine addiction
- COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
- Caries
Complications
White teeth are a desired state, but most people actually have rather discolored teeth. There are harmless reasons for this that are difficult to avoid, but there are also triggers that should be prevented. First of all, yellow teeth are a cosmetic problem, because they do not represent health and are not considered as visually beautiful as a row of straight, white teeth. Many people do not have yellow teeth treated by a dentist, but try bleaching or whitening methods at home, but these actually do more harm than good to the teeth. The biggest risk is that the enamel will be damaged, which it probably has done anyway with yellow teeth. Yellow teeth with damaged enamel carry the risk of developing caries more quickly or of suffering greater damage from tartar. Prevention by the dentist would still be simple, as long as the teeth have only become discolored and have not already suffered major damage. However, yellow teeth do not only bear risks due to incorrectly performed whitening or higher susceptibility to caries, a further complication can be their stability. A healthy tooth does not break off, except in the case of extraordinary stress or injury. However, depending on the cause, yellow teeth can be damaged to such an extent that they break even when biting off an apple. This does not have to lead to an immediate loss of function if only small pieces splinter, but it only makes the tooth more vulnerable.
When should you go to the doctor?
Yellow teeth, or tooth discoloration, can be genetic. Often, certain dietary preferences and behaviors are also to blame for tooth discoloration. Black tea, red tea, coffee, nicotine and even mouthwash and medications such as antibiotics or iron deficiency drugs can lead to yellow teeth or tooth discoloration. Basically it is to be said about the color of the teeth that radiant white as a natural tooth color is rather the exception. Discolored teeth are not a symptom of any physical disease other than the teeth themselves. Because, of course, a lack of dental care can also gradually lead to tooth discoloration such as yellow teeth and attack the tooth structure. Instead of talking to the family doctor, it is best for those affected to talk to their dentist. Tooth discoloration can occur when the enamel is damaged. Other causes include tooth decay and damage to the tooth root. Even if yellow teeth or other tooth discolorations are not a direct health hazard, they can be a psychological burden. Those who absolutely do not want to put up with it and have otherwise healthy teeth can have their teeth professionally whitened at the dentist or veneered with so-called veneers. It is not advisable to try to whiten your teeth yourself using alleged secret recipes or commercially available whitening preparations. The dentist is the more trustworthy contact.
Treatment and therapy
Yellow teeth not only look unsightly, they are also often a sign of dental disease. Medical teeth whitening can bring good results here. Whether yellow teeth and tooth discoloration require medical treatment varies. It depends on dental health and cosmetic considerations whether the dentist takes action. It is often a matter of budget as well. In professional life, yellow teeth and tooth discoloration can hinder career success. This is especially true for public figures. No actor, newscaster or pop singer will want to please their fans by having yellow teeth and tooth discoloration. Especially in Hollywood, yellow teeth and tooth discoloration are an absolute taboo. Here, white veneers or all-round crowning are used to cover up yellow teeth and tooth discoloration. If the enamel is the cause of yellow teeth and tooth discoloration, there is no other choice. Often tooth whitening helps. However, the supposedly whitening toothpastes rarely solve the problem. Yellow teeth and tooth discoloration can usually only be remedied by intensive tooth brushing. It is different, however, if there is a small crack in the tooth enamel, which gradually causes discoloration. There may be root damage or a decayed area may need to be treated. Yellow teeth and tooth discoloration are therefore always to be questioned in their causes.
Outlook and prognosis
Yellow teeth do not pose any particular health risk to the body or the oral cavity. Although they do not always look nice, they only have a negative effect on oral hygiene in rare cases. If the person concerned does not do anything about the yellow teeth, the yellow color will not disappear on its own. The teeth become discolored by food and drinks and thus acquire a darker color. This has no direct effect on the teeth. However, yellow teeth indicate that the person often eats a lot of unhealthy foods. These can have a negative effect on the teeth, leading to tooth decay or inflammation of the gums. Thus, disproportionately yellow teeth are also a warning sign of an unhealthy lifestyle. At the dentist, the affected person can have his teeth cleaned. The plaque is removed and the teeth can shine again in a brighter tone. During this treatment, there is only slight pain, which subsides immediately after the treatment. There are no complications after and during the treatment. The affected person can protect the teeth from the yellow plaque by simply brushing them.
Prevention
The best prevention against yellow teeth and tooth discoloration is consistent avoidance of staining foods and beverages. Instead of black tea, you can enjoy green tea, and instead of coffee, drink less staining grain coffee or spice chai. To avoid yellow teeth and tooth discoloration, it is best to avoid frequent consumption of red wine, nicotine, cola drinks, coffee, chocolate, beet and dark berry fruits such as elderberries or blackberries.Whether yellow teeth and tooth discoloration are worth it, everyone must decide for themselves. Unfortunately, the aging process also causes yellow teeth and tooth discoloration to increase. Good dental care and oral hygiene are the proven means against yellow teeth and tooth discoloration.
What you can do yourself
Yellow teeth do not necessarily have to be treated by a dentist. Often, the affected person can do something himself against the yellow teeth. They are very often caused in smokers by the smoke and nicotine that is absorbed in the mouth. If the patient smokes, the cigarettes must be stopped. This will prevent the yellow teeth and will lead to a whiter color again. Likewise, food with dye should be avoided. These include, above all, soda drinks. However, coffee and tea also discolor the teeth, this process can not be easily counteracted, as it is a common process. If you are not satisfied with the color of your teeth, you can have them whitened and cleaned by a dentist. However, this treatment does not lead to a permanent result and must be repeated after several months. Yellow teeth can also be treated with a special toothpaste, which bleaches the teeth. The chances of success depend very much on the condition of the teeth themselves. Often it is not possible to avoid certain foods that stain the teeth. A mouth rinse or chewing gum can limit yellow teeth as well.