Sarah Biren

Sarah Biren

January 30, 2025

Why Your Teeth Are Yellow Even Though You Brush Them: Dentist

The most obvious reason for yellow teeth is poor oral hygiene and dental care. However, you may brush and floss religiously, and attend all of your dental appointments. And your teeth may be perfectly healthy, but they don’t look clean and white. Some people don’t care about the shade as long as they can still chew, but many people can become self-conscious about their smile. Fortunately, there are several ways to whiten and maintain clean teeth. 

What’s the color of your teeth?

Happy young man with teeth color samples on beige background, closeup. Dental veneers
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Research shows that people judge others when it comes to their pearly whites in social and professional settings. Unfortunately, pure white teeth aren’t natural for many individuals. In fact, everyone has their own unique shade. So no matter how many products you try, your teeth have a limit on how white they can be. (Unless of course, you get veneers or paint.) As a result, some people are born with naturally yellow teeth. 

What dictates teeth color?

The teeth of the women are yellowed.
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There are a few factors: the thickness and brightness of the enamel (outer layer of the tooth), and the dentin (nerve) underneath it, which is naturally yellowish. So people with the genes for thick enamel and lighter dentin will have whiter teeth. However, this color can change due to factors such as staining on the enamel from certain foods. Whitening products and dental hygiene aim to eliminate staining and return teeth to their former shade.  

What causes yellow teeth?

Cropped shot of a young smiling woman before and after teeth whitening isolated on a gray background. Dark tooth enamel, contrast. Dentistry, dental care
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Remember, yellow chompers are inevitable for many individuals due to their genetics. Furthermore, not-so pearly whites are common for the aging population since enamel breaks down over time from the everyday wear-and-tear of chewing and consuming acidic foods.

Other factors outside of a person’s control are chronic dry mouth as well as trauma to the mouth. According to cosmetic dentist Dr. Victoria Veytsman, DDS, “Blunt force trauma aggravates the tooth’s nerves and the nerves die. [A dead nerve] is like an internal bruise of the tooth and it can turn completely gray from the inside.”

Keep in mind, people who are prone to yellow teeth can still successfully whiten them — just to an extent. 

Read More: This Popular Drink Could Be Permanently Staining Your Teeth Yellow, Expert Say

Lifestyle habits that can yellow teeth

Paper cup of coffee is held by a man in his hand. Coffee makes teeth yellow and sick.
Source: Shutterstock

Then there are risk factors that are typically within a person’s control. Yellow teeth can result from a diet high in sugar and simple carbohydrates. Sugar is notoriously bad for oral health because of the risk of cavities. But in general, a diet low in nutrients can affect the brightness of a smile.

Even healthy foods can stain overtime, such as blueberries, beets, tomato sauce, soy sauce, grape and cranberry juice. You can help prevent staining by drinking coffee, tea, and wine through straws. Additionally, smoking or chewing tobacco can stain teeth and make them look “dirty”. 

Too much fluoride

closeup dental fluorosis at upper anterior teeth
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Now, fluoride is usually beneficial for dental hygiene. However, excessive fluoride consumption can lead to a condition called fluorosis, which can lead to white spots on developing teeth.

Too much fluoride, either administered from over-fluoridated water sources or excessive ingestion of fluoride supplements during tooth development, may contribute to tooth discoloration by causing the development of white or brown spots or pitting of the enamel, which can darken over time,” says Dr. E. Lisa Reid, DMD, a prosthodontist in New York City, to Allure.

Side effects from mouthwashes and medications

A Japanese woman uses mouthwash.
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You would think that mouthwash would be the last thing to stain teeth. However, washes and rinses with chlorhexidine and cetylpyridinium chloride can do just that, according to WebMD. Additionally, certain medications can lead to discoloration, including antibiotics tetracycline and doxycycline when given to children under eight years of age, as well as antihistamines, antipsychotics, and high blood pressure drugs.

Overbrushing

Man brushing his teeth
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Overbrushing has the opposite effect than what people think. It strips the enamel, making the tooth look more yellow and more prone to cavities. And be wary of fads when it comes to oral hygiene. Dr. Reid explains that “using abrasive toothpastes, such as charcoal toothpaste, [can] lead to thinning of the enamel, making the teeth appear darker as the dentin layer begins to show through more.” 

Remedy 1: Baking soda and hydrogen peroxide

Toothbrush and baking soda to clean
Source: Shutterstock

They are commonly used in cleaning supplies and stain-removers for clothes, and they can have the same effect on pearly whites by eliminating plaque buildup and bacteria that creates stains, says Healthline

Brush your teeth gently with a paste made of 1 tablespoon of baking soda with 2 tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide. Then thoroughly rinse your mouth. Alternatively, you can replace the hydrogen peroxide with water, and just use a baking soda paste. 

Read More: Dentist Reveals Why You Should Consider Not Using Mouthwash Right Before or After Brushing Your Teeth

Remedy 2: Coconut oil pulling

Selection of dentists tools on a stainless steel background with coconut oil, toothpaste, toothbrush and floss. Heaped dessert with cocunut oil by jar.
Source: Shutterstock

Research indicates that coconut oil pulling can reduce plaque buildup, as well as fight bad breath and gum inflammation. However, more studies are needed to understand the extent of its helpfulness. Additionally, there has been no research into its effectiveness at teeth whitening in particular.

However, extra-virgin coconut oil is a popular choice for oil pulling because of its mildly pleasant taste. Additionally, it contains lauric acid, which has antimicrobial properties. It’s also an easy practice that involves swishing about one tablespoon of coconut oil in your mouth for about 15–minutes before spitting it out and brushing normally.

Remedy 3: Brushing your teeth and whitening toothpaste

Mirror, dental and black woman brushing teeth, fresh breath and oral health in the bathroom. Female person, happy model and lady with wellness, mirror and hygiene with morning routine and tooth care
Source: Shutterstock

The first and foremost line of defense against yellow teeth is brushing often and correctly. Start by brushing at least twice a day for about two minutes each time. Use a mirror to ensure you are reaching all sides of the teeth, gums and all of the crevices in between. You can also begin brushing after consuming foods and beverages that cause yellowing. (However, don’t brush immediately after consuming acidic products since this can erode the enamel.)

Additionally, add whitening toothpaste into your routine. They contain mild abrasives that scrub the surface of the tooth to remove stains without damaging them, says a 2018 study.