Illustration of a happy white tooth next to a sad yellow tooth affected by discoloration

Reasons for Tooth Discoloration

Poor oral hygiene is a common cause of yellow teeth. But even patients who brush their teeth twice a day for two minutes each time, floss every day, and visit the dentist every six months might notice that their teeth look yellow or discolored over time. If you have excellent oral hygiene, these are some possible reasons why you might have discolored teeth:


  1. Genetics

    2. Unfortunately, genetics can play a role in your tooth color. Your genes can influence the size, shape, and shade of your teeth, so if you’ve noticed that yellowed or stained teeth run in your family, chances are you may simply have discolored teeth due to genetics.


  2. Diet

    3. Diet plays a huge role in both your overall health and in your dental health. Your teeth can be more susceptible to staining if you consume foods that are high in sugar and starch, like pastries, cakes, cookies, candy, and potato chips. Moreover, beverages like coffee, tea, and wine contain dark pigments that can stain your teeth.


  3. Smoking

    4. Smoking is one of the worst things you can do for your health and it can have a direct negative impact on your smile. The chemicals in cigarettes seep into the pores of your teeth, causing brown and yellow discoloration.


  4. Medications

    5. Certain medications, like antibiotics, can have a staining effect on your teeth.


  5. Physical Trauma

    6. Cracked or chipped teeth have damaged enamel, meaning they’re more likely to stain. Moreover, if you have a broken or decayed tooth, your tooth might begin to have a brown or gray appearance due to the dying tissue. If you’ve sustained any physical trauma to your tooth, see your dentist right away!


Professional Teeth Whitening & Veneers in Monroe, WA

If you are feeling self-conscious about your discolored smile, our team at Donald Kim, DDS can help! We offer both take-home whitening trays and in-office Opalescence teeth whitening, as well as permanent dental veneers so our patients can enjoy a long-lasting white smile. We’ll work with you to come up with a treatment plan that works best for your smile, budget, and goals. Please contact us today to schedule a consultation! We would be delighted to hear from you.


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November 28, 2022 3:02 pm
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