What’s turning your teeth yellow?

Posted on February 6, 2025 in Healthy You

Keeping your teeth white and bright isn’t just about looking good — it can also be a sign of good dental health. But many factors can cause your teeth to yellow, even if you take care of your smile. Below are some of the top causes of yellow or stained teeth, along with tips on keeping your smile whiter for longer.

Common causes of yellow teeth and tips to help

• Poor at-home dental care habits: If you don’t take regular care of your teeth, it can lead to a buildup of plaque and tartar. Both stain teeth and cause discoloration.

Solution: Brush your teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste and floss daily.
 

• Certain foods and drinks: Dark-colored foods and beverages, like coffee, tea, red wine and berries, can stain your teeth over time.

Solution: Practice moderation when it comes to staining foods and drinks. When consuming these items, drinking sips of water with them will lessen the darkening effects on your teeth.

• Tobacco: Smoking and chewing tobacco can darken teeth.

Solution: Quit using tobacco products. Tobacco is a major cause of tooth discoloration and gum disease.

• Trauma and teeth grinding: Tooth injuries or teeth grinding can damage the enamel (the outer layer of your tooth), exposing the dentin underneath. This can make your teeth appear yellow, as dentin is a naturally yellowish color.

Solution: Your dentist will likely recommend a mouthguard during sports and at night to protect your teeth from grinding and further injury. To address the underlying cause of grinding, your dentist may also recommend limiting caffeine and practicing stress-easing techniques like meditation to ease grinding.

• Age: As we get older, the enamel wears down after years of wear and tear, revealing the yellowish dentin beneath.

Solution: You can’t stop the natural effects of aging, but regular dental checkups and professional cleanings can help remove surface stains and prevent further discoloration. You can also consider professional teeth whitening if you're concerned about the appearance of your teeth.

Find a dentist near you

Having a good dental hygiene routine at home is essential to a beautiful and healthy smile, but seeing your dentist twice a year also plays a major role. If it’s been a while since you’ve had your teeth professionally cleaned, check out our Find a Provider tool to get a list of in-network dentists who are near you.