Think of your favourite photos. You’re probably doing something unforgettable or surrounded by the people you love most, with everyone smiling. Now think about one you’ve taken more recently. Does your smile look a bit duller or slightly more yellow? If so, you’re not alone. As you get older, the outer layer of your teeth (the enamel) gradually thins, exposing more of the next layer (the dentine), which is naturally yellow. To make matters worse, certain everyday habits can speed up this process.
The good news: There are changes you can make to help keep enamel strong, protect against dentine showing through, and reduce food stains that can leave teeth looking dull. Here are some yellow-teeth habits worth breaking.
You’re rinsing with mouthwash too often.
One of the toughest environments for your teeth is a dry mouth, says dentist Harold Katz. Saliva contains a mix of minerals, enzymes and oxygen compounds that keep your mouth’s pH balance neutral, reducing the acid that can erode enamel. It also regularly bathes teeth to help remove bacteria and prevent stains from sticking to enamel.
“What’s disheartening is that many commercial mouthwashes are very acidic and, if used too often, can destroy precious tooth enamel,” says Dr Katz. In fact, a study in the Journal of Oral Science found that people who used mouthwash for 12 weeks experienced more enamel loss and tooth colour changes than a control group.
If you’re reaching for mouthwash multiple times a day to freshen breath, consider other options—such as brushing more often and booking regular dental cleans.
You’re consuming a lot of acidic fruits, vegetables and drinks.
Just as highly acidic mouthwash can wear away tooth enamel, so too can acids in your diet, says Dr Katz. Some of the most enamel-eroding options include citrus fruits and juices, tomatoes, pineapples, vinegar, carbonated drinks, certain sports drinks and vinegar-based salad dressings. A recent study in BMC Oral Health confirmed that acidic beverages can have an erosive effect on teeth.
That doesn’t mean you need to give these up entirely—especially the nutrient-rich ones—but it’s smart to sip water afterwards. Dr Katz adds that rinsing with water can also help prevent stains from dark-pigmented foods and drinks like blueberries, dark tea and red wine.
You run on coffee.
Caffeine and antioxidants in coffee may offer health perks, including longevity, but it can still be tough on your teeth, says dentist Katia Friedman. “Sipping two or three coffees every day allows the enamel of your teeth to be in constant contact with a staining agent,” she says. Because enamel is porous, these stains can sink in and cause yellowing if not regularly rinsed and brushed away.
It’s not the amount of coffee that’s most damaging—it’s the prolonged sipping, Dr Friedman explains. Drinking your coffee more quickly, or even through a straw (positioned behind your teeth), can reduce the time staining agents linger in your mouth. And it’s not just coffee—research in the Italian Journal of Food Science notes that black tea can have the same staining effect.
You smoke cigarettes.
The chemicals in cigarettes and pipe tobacco cling to enamel, leaving stubborn stains that build up over time, says Dr Friedman.
Smoking is also linked to a range of other oral health problems, including gum disease, tooth decay and bleeding gums. Whiter, stronger teeth are just one more reason to quit for good.
You aren't following your dentist’s advice.
Past surveys have found that only 30 to 40% of adults floss daily. Yet this simple habit can be key to keeping teeth from yellowing.
Dr Friedman says that inconsistent brushing and flossing allows plaque to build up on enamel. This can erode the protective layer and create a yellow tinge from the film of bacteria. A solid home care routine, paired with a professional clean at least once a year, can go a long way towards lifting stains and keeping your smile bright.
You’re brushing too hard.
A regular brushing routine is essential, but scrubbing harder or faster won’t give you a healthier mouth—in fact, it can do more harm than good, says prosthodontist Mazen Natour. This is especially true if your toothpaste contains abrasive agents or isn’t approved by a reputable dental association. “If you brush too hard or too often, you might wear away the thin enamel layer and expose the dentin underneath,” Dr Natour explains.
If your teeth are already yellowing, your dentist can suggest professional whitening treatments and practical habit changes. There are plenty of options to help restore a brighter, camera-ready smile.
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