Why do our teeth turn yellow? There are multiple reasons. A common cause is the regular consumption of beverages like cola, cocoa, coffee, or strong tea. These drinks contain pigments that leave residues in the mouth after consumption, which then settle on the teeth.Over time, the tooth surface may turn yellowish-brown or even dark brown. At this stage, vigorous brushing often proves ineffective. Therefore, after consuming such beverages, it's advisable to rinse your mouth with water to remove residual pigments from the tooth surface. This way, you needn't worry about teeth discoloration from coffee, tea, or similar drinks.Additionally, adolescents with smoking habits may also experience yellowing of their teeth. Smoking not only stains teeth but also harms adolescent health and should be avoided. The most common issue is tetracycline staining. What is tetracycline staining? In China during the 1960s and 1970s, tetracycline antibiotics were widely used. Excessive use of these drugs can accumulate in dental tissue, causing the inner layers of teeth to become stained and yellow.Taking tetracycline doesn't immediately turn teeth yellow. Instead, tetracycline teeth result from excessive tetracycline intake during tooth calcification periods: for baby teeth, this occurs during the mother's pregnancy; for permanent teeth, it happens before age seven. For permanent teeth, excessive medication before age seven leads to yellow teeth appearing after the age of seven when the teeth are replaced.At the time, neither doctors nor parents could easily link tetracycline use to tooth discoloration. After scientific research later confirmed the connection, China's Ministry of Health has now explicitly banned the production and use of tetracycline for children. Consequently, tetracycline teeth are rarely seen in the younger generation today.
Another cause is poor daily oral hygiene. Neglecting brushing and rinsing allows food particles to linger between teeth or on surfaces after meals or snacks. Over time, this forms tartar, yellowing the teeth. At this stage, brushing alone is insufficient; professional dental cleaning is needed to scrape away deposits or use chemicals to dissolve them.For teeth yellowed by tea consumption or smoking, powdered alum can be applied. Dip a toothbrush in the powder and gently scrub the yellowed teeth several times to restore whiteness. Another common cause of tooth discoloration is dental fluorosis. This condition arises when excessive fluoride is ingested during the tooth's calcification phase, primarily through drinking water.In some regions of China, naturally high fluoride levels in water can easily lead to dental fluorosis, a form of endemic fluorosis. Since the founding of the People's Republic, thanks to the care of the Party and government, drinking water projects in these high-fluoride areas have gradually improved, and endemic fluorosis and dental fluorosis have decreased.
Once teeth have yellowed, it's an irreversible reality. Therefore, taking action to whiten teeth is essential:
1. Chew vegetables and fruits
Chewing crisp vegetables and fruits helps reduce food pigment residue. They act like natural toothbrushes.
Try vigorously chewing apples, celery, or carrots. They thoroughly scrub tooth surfaces without damaging enamel. The harder you chew, the better.
2. Pay attention to food residue
People often overlook food particles lodged between teeth. Residue damages teeth. Even if you're primarily concerned with whitening, removing debris from crevices makes teeth appear brighter.
3. Cheese
Studies show eating a small piece of cheese after meals can prevent tooth decay and promote enamel regeneration.
Milk and yogurt offer similar benefits, protecting against cavities and brightening teeth. They contain minerals like calcium and phosphorus that aid in the remineralization of tooth enamel.
4. Lemon Slices
After brushing, hold a lemon slice (or lemon juice diluted in water) against your teeth for a whitening effect. The citric acid triggers a chemical reaction that breaks down plaque and stains on the tooth surface.
5. Eat tropical fruits rich in vitamin C
Tropical fruits (fruit foods) contain high levels of vitamin C, which maintains gum health. Severe deficiency can weaken gums, making them prone to disease and symptoms like swelling, bleeding, loose teeth, or tooth loss.
6. Eat green apples
To prevent teeth from yellowing, the simplest and most effective method is to brush after every meal. Dentists also recommend eating low-sugar green apples as an after-meal snack, which can achieve a similar teeth-cleaning effect as brushing. This is because the abundant fiber and moderate fruit acids in green apples help remove stains, leaving teeth brighter and cleaner.
Finally, remember to protect your teeth to avoid dental diseases.