Teeth whitening is one of the most requested procedures in cosmetic dentistry. Unfortunately, nature has not endowed everyone with snow-white teeth. Here are the main reasons to answer the question: why do teeth turn yellow?
Contrary to popular belief, tooth colour is not determined by the enamel, because it is translucent. The colour of the tooth depends on the dentin, the basic substance of the tooth, which has a yellow tint. So, whitening toothpaste cannot whiten teeth, but it can restore the original colour.
For the sake of correctness, it should be noted that the condition of the enamel can affect the colour of the tooth: thinning, imperfection and other non-carious lesions can make the teeth yellow or brown.
Why do teeth turn yellow?
1. Genetics and heredity
Often the teeth are not identical in colour, even in one person the shades of the teeth vary. For example, towards the cervical region, the teeth are darker, but the incisal edge may be translucent. Initially, the colour of the teeth is genetically determined. Doctors talk about the presence of a gene that determines the colour of teeth at birth and is inherited from parents. There are several genetic diseases associated with malformations of enamel and dentin, which influence the possession of yellow teeth.
2. Age
In general, all the factors that can change the colour of the teeth can be divided into controllable and uncontrollable. Age, along with genetics, are factors that cannot be influenced. The physiological process of ageing is also manifested in the teeth. On inspection, you may notice abrasion of the enamel, yellow spots appear on the chewing surface of the teeth - this is dentin. Such changes are characteristic of the entire surface of the teeth, over time the enamel becomes thinner, which affects the colour.
3. Nutrition
Almost all products and many drinks contain pigments that stain enamel and dentin. Dangerous beverages that containing aggressive pigments include: coffee, black tea, red wine, green tea sometimes contains pigments that can colour your teeth yellow. Sweets can ruin your teeth. Even schoolchildren are familiar with this common truth.
4. Medication
Long-term use of certain medications can cause tooth discolouration. These medications include some types of antibiotics, chemotherapy medications.
5. Dental treatment
Amalgam fillings are still used in some European countries. In terms of strength, this material exceeds even the enamel, it happens that the walls of the teeth around the filling are destroyed but the filling is firmly in place. Amalgams are mercury alloys with a specific black-metallic colour. Over time, dental tissue becomes impregnated with this pigment and changes colour.
6. Smoking
Smoking is one of the main enemies. Tobacco smoke contains more than 400 substances and a huge amount of tar, which forms a sticky film on the enamel surface.
Remedies for teeth whitening at home
- Baking soda.
- Sea salt - mix a pinch of sea salt with toothpaste. Gently massage the surface of the teeth inside and out (for 1-2 minutes).
- Lemon - you can chew a slice of lemon slowly for 3 minutes, then spit it out.
- Aloe vera - is added to toothpaste.
