Why do our teeth turn yellow?
The colour of your teeth may interfere with someone’s self-esteem and confidence. As people age the colour of their teeth changes from pearly white to yellowish and what people do not realize is that they can have control over this as it is not a natural process. You can get your delightful smile back. To understand why our teeth acquire this yellow tint over time let’s examine the structure of the tooth.
The tooth has four layers of tissues which include the enamel, dentin, pulp and the cementum. The enamel is the outermost layer is the enamel and it is responsible for protecting the tooth from wear and tear due to chewing. The dentin offers support to the enamel and it contains the nerves that are connected to the teeth. At the center of the teeth lies the pulp which contains nerves, and blood vessels for nourishment and signal transmission to the brain It is quite sensitive. The innermost part referred to as the cementum offers cover to the root by attaching the teeth to the jaw bone.
Yellowing of teeth is a result of the items that enter our bodies through eating drinking, or smoking. This results in development of a cover on the surface of teeth. Regular brushing may not be 100% effective in getting rid of all the plaque in your teeth. It is therefore important to brush your teeth with whitening toothpaste and regularly visit a dentist. Moreover, the accumulation of plaque results in enamel degradation resulting in exposure of the dentin hence a yellow tint. Age is also a factor in teeth yellowing due to the prolonged exposure and it is therefore advisable to have regular dental check-ups.
However, yellowing of teeth in younger people cannot be attributed to long-term enamel thinning. It is most probably as a result of staining. Also note that staining can take place on the outer and inner part of the tooth. Several foodstuffs and drinks are attributed to outside staining of teeth and coffee, red wine, some foodstuffs and smoking have been incriminated. Soda and tea contain some compounds that have discoloration properties. These compounds are also known as chromogens. It is also noteworthy that some medications can lead to teeth staining. A known tooth staining drug is minocycline that is used in the treatment of skin conditions of the face. Moreover, yellowing of teeth is caused by excess fluorine in water although small quantities of the same are necessary for healthy teeth.
In case your teeth have some yellow tint, all is not lost as you can whiten them and regain your former brighter smile. However, be careful on what you choose as a remedy as it may turn out to be a disappointment. It is prudent to consult a doctor so that you do not end up regretting. You can use whitening strips that are usually laced with hydrogen peroxide but please consult a qualified dentist.
The colour of your teeth may interfere with someone’s self-esteem and confidence. As people age the colour of their teeth changes from pearly white to yellowish and what people do not realize is that they can have control over this as it is not a natural process. You can get your delightful smile back. To understand why our teeth acquire this yellow tint over time let’s examine the structure of the tooth.
The tooth has four layers of tissues which include the enamel, dentin, pulp and the cementum. The enamel is the outermost layer is the enamel and it is responsible for protecting the tooth from wear and tear due to chewing. The dentin offers support to the enamel and it contains the nerves that are connected to the teeth. At the center of the teeth lies the pulp which contains nerves, and blood vessels for nourishment and signal transmission to the brain It is quite sensitive. The innermost part referred to as the cementum offers cover to the root by attaching the teeth to the jaw bone.
Yellowing of teeth is a result of the items that enter our bodies through eating drinking, or smoking. This results in development of a cover on the surface of teeth. Regular brushing may not be 100% effective in getting rid of all the plaque in your teeth. It is therefore important to brush your teeth with whitening toothpaste and regularly visit a dentist. Moreover, the accumulation of plaque results in enamel degradation resulting in exposure of the dentin hence a yellow tint. Age is also a factor in teeth yellowing due to the prolonged exposure and it is therefore advisable to have regular dental check-ups.
However, yellowing of teeth in younger people cannot be attributed to long-term enamel thinning. It is most probably as a result of staining. Also note that staining can take place on the outer and inner part of the tooth. Several foodstuffs and drinks are attributed to outside staining of teeth and coffee, red wine, some foodstuffs and smoking have been incriminated. Soda and tea contain some compounds that have discoloration properties. These compounds are also known as chromogens. It is also noteworthy that some medications can lead to teeth staining. A known tooth staining drug is minocycline that is used in the treatment of skin conditions of the face. Moreover, yellowing of teeth is caused by excess fluorine in water although small quantities of the same are necessary for healthy teeth.
In case your teeth have some yellow tint, all is not lost as you can whiten them and regain your former brighter smile. However, be careful on what you choose as a remedy as it may turn out to be a disappointment. It is prudent to consult a doctor so that you do not end up regretting. You can use whitening strips that are usually laced with hydrogen peroxide but please consult a qualified dentist.
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