Why Are My Teeth Losing Their Whiteness As I Get Older?

Just about everyone — up to 99%, in fact — desires a white and healthy-looking smile. Most people even consider their smile to be their most important social feature, so it comes as no surprise that teeth whitening is in high demand.

At EZ Dental Clinic in Bellevue, Washington, our team is ready to help you attain your whitest and brightest smile. Are you wondering why your teeth have become more and more discolored over time? Here, we cover some of the reasons why your teeth lose their whiteness as you get older.

The relationship between age and tooth discoloration

A layer of durable enamel is what gives your teeth their white color. There are multiple reasons why your teeth can become discolored as you get older, including:

1. Foods and beverages

When you eat foods or drink beverages that are dark in color or have a large amount of pigmentation, it can cause your teeth to become discolored. Coffee, red wine, blueberries, and similar foods and drinks can penetrate the enamel and stain your teeth as a result. 

In addition, if you eat and drink things that are high in acidic content, they can eat away at your enamel, leaving your teeth discolored.

2. Tobacco products

Smoking and chewing tobacco are bad for your oral health and discolor your teeth. Tobacco is known to leave yellow and brown stains on your teeth.

3. Wear-and-tear over time

Over time, your enamel starts to wear down. This is due to the fact that chewing and biting, teeth rubbing together, and even your tongue start to wear on that layer of enamel. As the enamel becomes thinner, the inner layers of your teeth start to show through, giving your teeth a yellow or gray hue. 

4. Poor dental hygiene

If you don’t brush and floss on a regular basis or thoroughly, plaque and tartar can start to build up on your teeth. If you allow this to happen, it can give your teeth a dingy appearance. Improving your at-home oral hygiene routine and getting regular professional cleanings can help with tooth discoloration.

These factors can contribute to tooth discoloration as you get older, as can some common medications. You might be struggling with one or all of these things, which is why your teeth just aren’t as white as they used to be.

Teeth whitening options

No matter what’s causing your teeth to lose their whiteness as you get older, we can help. We offer professional teeth whitening treatments to lift set-in stains. 

Our team provides you with take-home whitening trays that have professional-grade whitener gels, stronger than what you can get over the counter at your local drugstore. You can use these take home trays about every six months to keep your smile white and bright.

If you’re ready to return your smile to the whiter, brighter look of your younger years, contact our team to learn more about our teeth whitening treatments. You can do this by calling our office at 425-746-6090 or by using our online scheduler to book an appointment with us today.