A beautiful smile means a beautiful face. You take care of your teeth, but you see them yellowing and don’t know what’s to blame. Surgeon dentist Dr. Amalia Panayiotou explains why this happens and how to deal with it.

While celebrities and the most beautiful models showcase snow-white teeth, the smile of the rest of the people becomes more and more yellow. This certainly doesn’t surprise us, as a series of various factors can affect the color of your teeth and make them more dull and yellow!

THE CAUSES

Most causes of tooth discoloration fall into two broad categories: extrinsic and intrinsic stains.

Yellowing can also be caused by a wide range of health factors.

EXTRINSIC STAINS:

They are found on the outer surface of the tooth, the enamel.

The most important factor in the yellowing of teeth is lifestyle. That is, smoking, consumption of coffee and tea, as well as chewing tobacco.

Also, foods and drinks with intense coloring agents such as wine, cola-type soft drinks, dark sauces, fruits like cherries, blackberries, and pomegranate. These foods are high in pigments that stick to the teeth.

BEAUTIFUL TEETH, BEAUTIFUL FACE

Other foods that negatively affect and yellow the teeth are acidic foods which erode the tooth’s surface, making it even easier for pigments to adhere. Also, tannin, which is a bitter component of wine and tea, enhances the pigments to stick to the teeth.

MEDICATIONS AND YELLOWED TEETH

The intrinsic stains.

Numerous medications can cause intrinsic stains on the teeth. In children, taking tetracycline or doxycycline during tooth development before the age of 8.

In adults, continuous rinsing with chlorhexidine (a mouthwash used to treat gingivitis and periodontitis) will cause yellowing of the teeth. Also, minocycline, a medication for treating acne, stains the teeth. Chemotherapy and radiation in the head and neck area, blood pressure medications, and some antihistamines like albuterol, also yellow the teeth. Taking large doses of fluoride orally during the period of tooth development, a fact that makes the teeth appear speckled with stains.

Teeth also yellow from dental work such as amalgam fillings and root canal treatments. Another important factor is time since over time, the enamel wears down making the tooth appear more yellow. Also, various syndromes like dentinogenesis imperfecta and amelogenesis imperfecta.

PREVENTION AND TREATMENT

Regular cleaning by your dentist will remove to a large extent the external stains caused by food or smoking. If you also use a whitening toothpaste, you will protect your teeth from stains until your next dental visit. If you’ve had the stains for many years, you may need dental whitening to get rid of them. Internal stains may be discolored or, if they are permanent, covered with crowns or veneers. All these methods are safe and effective. Your dentist will determine which is the most suitable for you, depending on the condition of your teeth and the result you want to achieve. Your dentist must take into account:

The degree and type of stains.

The integrity of the tooth (whether it has a large filling or needs shape changes).

The best prevention is avoiding foods and drinks with color, or at least consuming drinks with a straw, good oral hygiene, and visiting the dentist twice a year.

For more personalized advice, don’t hesitate to contact Dr. Amalia Panayiotou at 25251353.