Dr Zainab Mackie explained that a lot of people who think they do a good job of caring for their oral health are actually making major mistakes.
And as a result of this, your teeth might have that dreaded yellow hue rather than that lovely white colour we all want.
There are a few things we can do to keep our smile shining, such as brushing and flossing regularly, getting regular cleanings and avoiding consuming things which might stain our teeth.
But what if you’re already doing all of that stuff and still seem to have discolouration on your gnashers?
The dentist explained why you might have yellow teeth despite taking good care of them (Getty Stock Image)
Well, according to Dr Mackie, you are probably committing one of these cardinal sins despite being under the illusion you’re an amateur oral health expert.
The dentist, from the US state of Michigan, shared a TikTok video responding to a concerned bloke who said he ‘brushes everyday’ but ‘still has yellow teeth’.
She kindly offered the social media user some advice, explaining there could be a few possible reasons for this.
What could be causing yellow teeth?
Brushing too hard
“You might be brushing too hard, stripping away that white enamel,” Dr Mackie said.
The hard outer layer which coats our teeth and protects them from damage can erode away over time, but you can really speed up the process if you’re being too enthusiastic with your toothbrush.
Aggressive brushing ‘can erode the tough enamel shield, letting dentin show through, making teeth appear yellow and increasing sensitivity’, according to Willow Tree Dental.
Dr Mackie warned that you might be brushing a bit too vigorously (Getty Stock Image)
As well as this, you are putting yourself at risk of increased plaque buildup, more cavities and even tooth loss – so chill out a bit with your brushing.
Diet and lifestyle
Dr Mackie explained that your diet and lifestyle also has a lot to do with the colour of your teeth.
If you smoke, are on certain medications or are partial to drinks and snacks with staining-power, your gnashers might not be that white anymore.
“If you drink too much pop, that’s going to stain your teeth,” the dentist continued. “Acidic fruit juices are definitely a teeth stainer.”
Think twice before you shove anything vibrantly coloured, sugary or acidic in your mouth, as this could leave a mark on your teeth.
So, how do you avoid yellow teeth?
To keep a glittering smile, Dr Mackie advises avoiding over-brushing and sipping fizzy drinks and juice which can erode your enamel through a straw.
Social media users were grateful for the expert’s insight and flooded the comment section with their thoughts.
One said: “So I’ve been brushing too hard!!”
Another wrote: “Not me drinking orange juice literally after brushing my teeth.”
A third added: “Watching while drinking a whole bottle of coke.”
And a fourth wrote: “Ok, now how do you fix that…”
