Who doesn’t want that radiant, white alabaster moviestar smile? While yellow teeth aren’t necessarily damaged or unhealthy, in many modern cultures white teeth socially convey wealth, health, youth and social status. Conversely, people with yellowish or brownish teeth sometimes feel embarrassed to smile or show their teeth, and this may be the sad reason why in a recent study researchers found that the average child smiles 400 times a day while the average adult only smiles 20 times a day.
No wonder we’re all on the constant lookout for ways to brighten our teeth! Naturally, most of us turn to teeth-brushing as our first plan of attack.
While brushing your teeth will make them “whiter” than if you didn’t brush them, it isn’t a perfect teeth-whitening solution. There are many factors that can affect the color of your teeth such as genetics, aging, food, and medication. We have created a list of the top 6 reasons that your teeth are yellow even though you brush everyday. See if one of these is at the root of your problem!
#1: Brushing Your Teeth Doesn’t Necessarily Whiten Them
This one may surprise you. The purpose of brushing is not to whiten your teeth. The purpose is to remove food and plaque from your teeth with bacteria that produce acids that harm the tooth enamel.
If the plaque is not removed, it hardens into tartar which makes the teeth more difficult to clean. Tartar buildup on your gums leads to inflammation and eventually gum disease. So, the purpose of brushing your teeth is to keep them healthy and disease-free, not to whiten them.
There are however, certain toothpastes that maintain tooth health and simultaneously whiten your teeth as you brush. Look for toothpastes that specifically say “whitening” next time you’re at the store. I personally have found the Arm and Hammer brand of whitening toothpaste to be a real winner.
#2: Your Teeth Are Not Naturally White
The idea that teeth are naturally white is a myth. Ever seen other animals’ teeth? Even if your teeth had no stains and were perfectly clean, they would not be 100% white. The visible portion of your teeth is composed of dentin and enamel. Enamel is the hard, protective cover and dentin is the hard, dense tissue that makes up the tooth’s structure.
Even in a perfect world, the dentin would cause an off-white appearance. The enamel is a transparent cover, so any coloration from the dentin is visible when you look at someone’s teeth. If your dentin is naturally darker, no basic surface whitening treatment or tooth brushing will make your teeth perfectly white.
There will, however, be some good options out there for whitening your teeth even in this scenario. At Jet Dental, not only do we come to your work or office and handle everyone’s dentist appointment right on site, but we also offer teeth whitening services! Start a conversation with us if you would like our mobile dentist vans to come spend the day at your work building. We take all the same insurance plans that a regular dentist does.
#3: It’s Your Genetics
You may be surprised to learn that a large part contributing to the color of your teeth is based on your genetics. Thinker, whiter enamel can just in some families while more transparent enamel can be inherited as well. Those with a more transparent enamel with a darker dentin have genetically more yellow teeth and no surface whitening treatment or brushing will change this.
#4: You Grind Your Teeth
You probably didn’t expect this one. Grinding your teeth can cause yellow discoloration to your teeth. Bruxism, known more commonly as teeth grinding, is often an unconscious habit that occurs while you sleep. This stress on your teeth can cause premature aging. It causes discoloration as it wears down the enamel to reveal a yellow-ish dentin underneath.
Regular dental visits can help you catch this habit before it becomes severe. During a dental check-up, the dentist will be able to determine if this is an issue for you. There are many solutions to stop the habit of grinding your teeth. The most common is wearing a dental guard at night.
#5: Your Teeth Are Stained by Foods You Eat or Drink
There are two types of stains: intrinsic and extrinsic. Let’s break them down:
Intrinsic stains: a stain within the tooth. These stains are harder to solve and will most definitely not be solved by just brushing your teeth. Intrinsic stains can occur when there are small cracks on the surface of the tooth that allow foods and drinks to seep in and stain the inside of the tooth. There are no permanent fixes to intrinsic stains other than veneers, custom-made tooth coverings that cover up stained teeth.
Extrinsic stains: a stain on the surface of the tooth. These stains are typically caused by eating or drinking certain foods or chewing tobacco. You can prevent these stains by avoiding dark pigmented foods such as cola, coffee, red wine, berries, and soy sauce. Extrinsic stains can be improved dramatically by the use of whitening treatments.
The average person has a mixture of intrinsic and extrinsic stains on their teeth. Any surface whitening treatment will improve the overall appearance of your teeth!
#6: Your Medication Contributes to Tooth Discoloration
Many medications list tooth discoloration as a side effect. Doxycycline or tetracycline are the most common antibiotics that cause discoloration. If you took these medications frequently as a child you may have discolored teeth as a consequence. If you think any medication you are taking is affecting your teeth in a negative way, consult your doctor immediately.
We hope one of these common causes answered your question about why bruising your teeth isn’t whitening them. Thanks for reading!
