Why Are My Teeth Yellow When I Brush Them Everyday? (2024)

It’s a common assumption that daily brushing and flossing lead to whiter teeth, but this isn’t always the case. Even if you brush your teeth daily, you can still develop yellow spots and stains on your teeth. Why are your teeth yellow despite good oral hygiene?

Continue reading to learn more about why teeth become yellow, including why staining can still happen despite brushing your teeth every day.

Why Can Teeth Become Yellow?

Many people assume teeth are perfectly white, but a tooth’s natural colour is within a range of shades. Yellow or greyish-yellow teeth are completely normal, especially with age. Your teeth can darken with time as natural changes occur and stains accumulate on their surface.

Your enamel, the protective layer of your teeth, can wear down with time, thinning and allowing your dentin to appear through the enamel. Dentin is the layer of the tooth underneath the enamel, a deep yellow to brown colour. While thicker enamel can prevent the yellow colour of the dentin, your teeth are still at risk of staining from foods and drinks.

There are several possible causes for yellow teeth, including:

Accidents

An accident causing physical trauma to your tooth can lead to a yellow appearance. Damage can crack tooth enamel, causing the dentin to appear more clearly.

Antibiotics

Tetracycline antibiotics can stain your teeth while they’re still developing in the gums. Previous research found that these medications can permanently stain your teeth. Your mother taking these antibiotics in the second half of her pregnancy or taking them before age 8 can lead to a grey tooth colour.

Drinks

Many drinks can stain your teeth, including coffee, tea, sports drinks, dark sodas, and red wine. If left on the surface of your teeth, these drinks can leave stubborn stains.

Genetics

Genetics may factor into the colour of your teeth. Tooth colour is a spectrum of shades, and you may tend towards yellow or grey shades.

Grinding

Tooth grinding (bruxism) is a condition where you clench or grind your teeth, often without knowing it. This grinding and gnashing can weaken your tooth enamel and lead to a more yellow shade.

Fluorosis

While fluoride benefits your teeth, too much can lead to yellow or yellow-brown spots. This staining is known as fluorosis. Fluoridated well-water, fluoride toothpaste and prescribed fluoride tablets can lead to overexposure to this mineral if taken in excess.

Foods

Many foods can stain your teeth if not washed away fast enough. Red pasta sauces, dark berries, and other foods can stain your teeth, leading to a yellower look.

Smoking

The nicotine and tar in cigarettes can lead to yellow and stained teeth. This staining can worsen with time.

Wear

Teeth naturally become more yellow with age due to enamel wearing away and acids from foods and drinks. A yellower look for teeth is common as enamel thins with time, but some teeth take on a darker shade because of other stains.

Why Are My Teeth Yellow When I Brush Them Everyday? (1)

Why Are Your Teeth Yellow Despite Brushing Them Daily?

Yellower teeth are natural, but you may want a brighter smile. If your teeth are still looking yellow despite brushing them every day, there may be several reasons why this is happening. You may be brushing your teeth ineffectively, frequently having foods and drinks that stain your teeth, or experiencing changes to your enamel.

Poor Brushing Habits

You should brush your teeth at least twice daily for 2 minutes for good oral hygiene. You may already be doing this, but your brushing technique may leave room for plaque build-up, which leaves a yellow stain.

Ensure you’re reaching all the cracks and crevices of the teeth, including the inside, outside and chewing surfaces. Brush in a circular motion to protect your gums, and consider using a whitening toothpaste to help remove stains. They feature a mild abrasive to help whiten your teeth.

Food & Drink Staining

Your diet may have several teeth-staining foods and drinks, which can yellow your teeth if you don’t clean them. Watch out for common stain-causing culprits, including:

  • Coffee
  • Tea
  • Soda
  • Red wine
  • Grape and cranberry juice
  • Berries
  • Beets
  • Soy sauce
  • Tomato sauce

Brush your teeth or rinse your mouth after meals with these products to help protect your teeth from unnecessary stains.

Changes to Your Enamel

Even if you’re brushing your teeth well every day, your enamel thinning can lead to yellow teeth. While these changes can happen with time, you can help prevent staining in several ways. Practicing good oral hygiene, avoiding certain foods and drinks, and visiting your dentist for regular examinations and cleanings.

You Don’t Need to Live With Yellow Teeth

Your teeth can naturally become yellow with age, but some people may want brighter smiles. If you want whiter teeth, in-office treatments can help. Your dentist can whiten your teeth by up to several shades, helping you feel more confident when you smile.Contact your dentist if you’re interested in teeth whitening—you can brighten your smile in as little as one appointment.

Why Are My Teeth Yellow When I Brush Them Everyday? (2024)

FAQs

Why Are My Teeth Yellow When I Brush Them Everyday? ›

Even if you're brushing your teeth well every day, your enamel thinning can lead to yellow teeth. While these changes can happen with time, you can help prevent staining in several ways. Practicing good oral hygiene, avoiding certain foods and drinks, and visiting your dentist for regular examinations and cleanings.

Why are my teeth yellow even though I brush them regularly? ›

The most common reason for yellow teeth despite daily brushing is incorrect brushing techniques. Inadequate removal of plaque causes staining. To brush correctly, reach every corner and brush for two minutes, twice daily. Brush the tongue to eliminate bacteria that cause bad breath and tooth discoloration.

Can yellow teeth be white again? ›

Fortunately, there are ways of making your yellow teeth white, from improving your oral hygiene and diet to visiting the dentist and having them professionally whitened. There's no need to feel ashamed of your smile anymore.

How to fix yellow teeth? ›

Use a Teeth Whitener

For whiter results, wear it overnight or wear it daily at least 2 to 4 hours each day. However, if you prefer simple whitening solutions, whitening strips and whitening gel are also effective and affordable over-the-counter options to use at home.

What vitamin deficiency causes yellow teeth? ›

In adults, low vitamin D status can lead to gingivitis and periodontal disease. Does vitamin D deficiency cause yellow teeth? Yes, vitamin D deficiency can show up as yellow teeth. Yellow or brown spots on teeth are a symptom of rickets, a condition caused by chronic low levels of vitamin D.

Are yellow teeth healthy? ›

Non-White or Yellow Teeth are Unhealthy

This myth is peddled by firms which want us to spend a fortune on getting a perfect “movie star” smile. Although heavy staining and yellow plaque deposits aren't healthy, it's very possible for yellowish teeth to be absolutely clean and healthy.

How to whiten teeth in 2 minutes? ›

Baking-powder eliminates stains on the surface of your teeth and lemon juice as we already said has multiple components that lighten teeth. Just mix a teaspoon of baking powder and a teaspoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice and brush your teeth with the paste this mixture will work wonders in just two minutes.

Are yellow teeth a turn off? ›

In our modern day of internet dating and blind date setups, first impressions can be a big, big deal. That said, few people include “canary yellow teeth” on their list of turn-ons. In fact, both men and women commonly find yellow teeth a turn-off at best and a deal breaker at worst.

Is teeth yellowing permanent? ›

Thankfully, yellow teeth aren't forever. Not only can your teeth be whitened, but you can also adopt habits that keep them looking good. Use this blog to learn about why teeth become yellow, how you can fix them, and what you can do to prevent future discoloration.

What cancels yellow on teeth? ›

Whitening toothpaste may help reduce yellowing of the teeth and improve whiteness. These products contain stronger ingredients than standard toothpaste, helping to remove tough food stains. Whitening toothpaste does not contain bleach but may contain a small amount of carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide.

How to make teeth whiter in 3 minutes without baking soda? ›

Rub banana, orange, or lemon peels:

To perform this “trick,” take a banana, orange, or lemon peel and gently rub it on your teeth. Keep rubbing it for about 2 minutes, then thoroughly wash your mouth and brush your teeth. The peels of these fruits contain citric acid, which theoretically helps in teeth whitening.

Do people notice yellow teeth? ›

It's hard to determine how any one person would judge someone with yellow teeth. Some people might judge you, some might not, and others may not even notice!

Can dehydration cause yellow teeth? ›

This study showed that dehydration affected the shade of the teeth: Lightness increased, and therefore, the teeth appeared whiter.

Why are my teeth so yellow all of a sudden? ›

Poor oral hygiene – poor oral hygiene practices cause yellowing of your teeth; however, discoloration or yellowing may occur despite regular teeth cleaning. Smoking – this is one of the leading causes of the yellowing of teeth.

What illnesses cause yellow teeth? ›

Some health conditions cause teeth discoloration, including liver disease, celiac disease, calcium deficiency, eating disorders and metabolic diseases. Certain medications. Some medications, like certain antihistamines and drugs for high blood pressure, can result in teeth discoloration.

Why are my teeth not white even after brushing? ›

Products like coffee, cola, berries, tomato sauce, and wine are common culprits that can stain your teeth. You should also remember that you'll likely experience staining if you continue to consume these items, even if you brush your teeth regularly.

Why are my teeth yellow when I brush them everyday home remedies? ›

There are many factors that can cause teeth to become yellow including:
  • Consuming pigmented food or drinks like tea, coffee, red wine, etc.
  • Chewing tobacco or smoking.
  • Everyday wear and tear of enamel.
  • Genetics and other natural causes.
  • Certain medications.
  • Accidents or trauma.

Why are my teeth so bad even though I brush? ›

There are several reasons as to why your teeth are bad even after brushing them. Some of the most common causes include: not using the right toothpaste, not flossing, brushing too hard, and not brushing your teeth for a long enough time.

Why are my teeth not getting whiter? ›

Your Teeth Aren't Clean

You may not see it, but your teeth may have a dirty biofilm or layer of plaque buildup that is preventing the whitening agents from targeting your tooth stains. Consider teeth whitening after your next routine dental cleaning.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Jonah Leffler

Last Updated:

Views: 5638

Rating: 4.4 / 5 (45 voted)

Reviews: 84% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Jonah Leffler

Birthday: 1997-10-27

Address: 8987 Kieth Ports, Luettgenland, CT 54657-9808

Phone: +2611128251586

Job: Mining Supervisor

Hobby: Worldbuilding, Electronics, Amateur radio, Skiing, Cycling, Jogging, Taxidermy

Introduction: My name is Jonah Leffler, I am a determined, faithful, outstanding, inexpensive, cheerful, determined, smiling person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.