Why Do Teeth Yellow With Age and What Can I Do About it?

Why Do Teeth Yellow With Age and What Can I Do About it?

If your teeth seem a little less bright these days, you're not imagining it. Yellow or stained teeth are a common cosmetic complaint, and many people find that their teeth start to yellow a bit as the years pass. 

The good news is that our team at Dentistry in Paradise in Santa Barbara, California, offers a variety of treatments to help brighten your smile. But why does aging affect the color of your teeth? That’s just the question that Kevin Miller, DDS, answers here today. 

Two reasons your teeth yellow with age

There are two main reasons why your teeth may yellow as you age 一 thinning enamel and lifestyle factors 一 and many people might experience a combination of both of these factors. 

Natural wear-and-tear creates thinning enamel 

Your tooth consists of a few layers:

As you age, your tooth enamel may start to thin as a result of daily wear-and-tear. As the enamel wears down, you may start to see more of the dentin layer underneath. Because dentin is naturally yellow, your teeth may appear yellow.

Lifestyle and dietary factors

In addition to thinning enamel revealing dentin, there’s another cause of yellow teeth: lifestyle factors. This includes: 

As you age, you may start to take more medications to manage underlying health conditions. Certain medications, including some prescriptions that manage hypertension, can stain your teeth

What to do about yellow teeth

Good hygiene is a good defense against stains. Brush your teeth twice a day, and, when you eat a stain-inducing food, rinse your mouth as soon as possible afterward — or, better yet, brush. 

However, in some cases, there isn’t anything you can do about yellow teeth. For instance, you need to take your prescription medication, even if it stains your teeth. You also may not want to give up the health benefits of foods like berries, even if they stain your teeth.

The Dentistry in Paradise team offers a variety of treatments to brighten your teeth again. Depending on the type and severity of your stains, we may recommend:

Are you ready to add a little more dazzle to your smile? Schedule your cosmetic dentistry consultation with Dr. Miller at Dentistry in Paradise by calling us at 805-967-0272. You can also request a consultation online any time day or night.

You Might Also Enjoy...

Eat This, Not That: Teeth Whitening Edition

You probably already know that certain foods and drinks can stain your teeth, but do you know which ones are the worst offenders? Find out more in our teeth whitening edition of “Eat This, Not That!”

Why Am I So Scared of Going to the Dentist?

Fear of going to the dentist is one of the most common phobias. And for many people, it can keep them from getting the oral care they need. Read on to find out why you’re so scared and what we can do to help.

Early Gum Disease 101: We Can Help You Reverse Gingivitis

Don’t wait until it’s too late! Gingivitis is the earliest stage of gum disease — and it’s reversible. If you have gingivitis, we can help you improve your oral health and avoid the complications that come with untreated, advanced gum disease.