Why do teeth turn yellow?

What do you think is the color of the teethcrazy? If it seems to you that the smile should be as snow-white as possible and glow in the dark, like a character from the television series “Friends” in one of the episodes, then relax. Your teeth should not be extremely white. According to experts, any color other than white or yellowish-white is considered an abnormal tooth color. Many things can affect the color of teeth and give them an unpleasant yellow tint. Often people who encounter a similar problem are embarrassed to smile. But what exactly makes the teeth turn yellow, and how to safely return them to a natural, healthy color?

Frame from the series “Friends”. The episode in which Ross whitened his teeth

Content

• 1 Why do we need teeth?
• 2 Why take care of dental health?
• 3 What affects dental health?
• 4 Why do teeth turn yellow?
• 5 Is it worth whitening your teeth?

Why do you need teeth?

Although we do not always notice this, human teethplay an important role not only in chewing food. The digestive, respiratory and speech systems cannot fully function without their participation. During human evolution, the structure of the jaw and the number of teeth changed. Some of our ancestors had as many as 36. And they also had a massive jaw with fangs protruding forward. So they could chew raw meat and other rough foods.

Over time, the jaw arch narrowed, andthe bite was transformed, as were the teeth themselves. Their size, as well as quantity, decreased. Today, the presence of 32 teeth is considered the norm, however, many “eights” (the so-called wisdom teeth) are inconvenient and removed.

This is what a Neanderthal skull looks like: a protruding jaw and massive teeth

The teeth consist of several layers: crowns, gingival, root, enamel, dentin and pulp lines. The yellowness of the teeth is not difficult to notice - it affects the outermost layer of the tooth, that is, the enamel. Enamel is the layer that covers the crown of a tooth. It is also the hardest and most mineralized tissue in the body. It is she who gives the teeth a characteristic white color.

Why take care of dental health?

First, let's look at what factorsaffect dental health. Despite the fact that the relationship between oral health and the general condition of the body does not seem obvious, it is. Gum disease, such as periodontitis, is associated with the development of cardiovascular disease, and inflammation and suppuration in the oral cavity can lead to dangerous consequences.

In addition, problems with teeth and oral cavitycontribute to a decrease in immunity. As a result, the body is more difficult to cope with infections. Needless to say, tooth decay or a blackened tooth are a constant source of bacteria. And, of course, the condition of the teeth affects the work of the digestive tract. Digestion problems begin if a person is not able to fully chew food.

What affects dental health?

A huge amount affects the condition of the teethfactors. So, thanks to smoking alone, you run the risk of getting not only a characteristic yellowish tint, referred to by dentists as “smoker's raid”, but also periodontal disease. And this, in turn, can lead to premature tooth loss.

On our channel in Yandex.Zen you will find many articles about the dangers of both conventional and electronic cigarettes.

Nutrition, stress, ecology and bad habits -these are the main factors that undermine dental health. A color change indicates a problem. So, lovers of sweets risk the destruction of enamel, which begins with demineralization. Running caries is known to be fraught with complications.

Why do teeth turn yellow?

The most common cause of yellow teethit is a way of life - smoking and drinking colored drinks such as coffee and tea. Tobacco contains tar and nicotine. These substances cause stains on the enamel. Coloring drinks and foods, along with acidic foods, can not only stain tooth enamel, but also damage it. It is enough to get rid of such a yellow plaque in the dentist’s office - regular brushing will help remove plaque and prevent its appearance.

This is how teeth look before and after the whitening procedure

But if dark spots appear on the teeth, thenthe problem lies a little deeper - such spots appear on the layer that is under the dentin enamel. Getting rid of them is not easy. There are many reasons why these spots appear. So, due to the use of certain antibiotics, the teeth of children under 8 years old can acquire a tan shade. Some rinses, for example, chlorhexidine, used to treat gingivitis, can also lead to a discoloration of the enamel. In fact, many antihistamines and antipsychotics can affect the color of your teeth.

If you are afraid of doctors, read this: 10 myths about operations and surgeons

Is it worth whitening your teeth?

Before you decide to conquer your worlda snow-white smile with the help of strips and gels for whitening teeth, note that the means used during the procedure can be more dangerous than was thought. According to a study published in the journal Experimental Biology, hydrogen peroxide is a key ingredient in tooth whitening. Peroxide can damage dentin directly under the enamel. In addition, the products used in whitening can lead to gum disease and tooth sensitivity. However, these effects disappear shortly after stopping the use of whitening strips.

Have you whitened your teeth? Tell the participants in our Telegram chat about this.

However, today it is believed thatwhitening procedures with gels and strips cannot cause significant harm to the teeth. At the same time, experts do not advise to whiten teeth often, and the decision on whitening is best made after consultation with your doctor.