Dentist shares common mistake people make that causes teeth to turn yellow

Have you ever smiled in the mirror and noticed that your teeth are a certain shade of yellow?

It doesn't make any sense; you brush your teeth twice a day, floss, and avoid sugary drinks, all to end up at the hygienist for a clean. Apparently, there's a certain reason for that which can be an easy mistake to make.

As an adult, it's worth noting that staying vigilant with your brushing isn't enough to keep them pearly white - mouthwash may help and cutting down on coffee could make a huge difference.

It may sound like one of the hardest things for regular coffee-drinkers but the sad truth is dark drinks such as that and tea can stain your teeth and contribute to that canary yellow tint you often see.

It can feel like yellow teeth is unavoidable (Getty Stock Image)

Not to fear though, as a number of dentists have weighed in on the yellow teeth issue to share their expert opinions on what you can do to preserve the pristine condition of your teeth after a clean.

One of these medical experts is Dr Sarah Sadek, who shared a video on the causes of yellow teeth on YouTube.

A lot of people believe a thorough scrub with the toothbrush is key to getting all of that plaque and leftover food out from between your teeth, but using too much force can actually be bad for you as it can damage the enamel coating on your teeth.

This is key to maintaining white teeth, but this isn't the only downside of rough brushing according to other health professionals.

Willow Tree Dental explain that the eroding the enamel barrier causes higher sensitivity in your teeth, while an extended period of brushing hard can result in things such as gum recession, an increase in plaque buildup, and even some hugely inconvenient cavities.

But there's more you should look to avoid if you want to keep your teeth looking as white as possible, according to Dr Sadek.

Using too much toothpaste

Many may think that the more you use, the cleaner your teeth will be, but this simply isn't true at all.

Not only does it mean you're spending more on tubes of toothpaste on your weekly shop, but you're also at a higher risk of getting said yellow stains.

Too much toothpaste can erode plaque and lead to a condition known as fluorosis, which can lead to staining on teeth in extreme circumstances.

Using too much toothpaste can ruin your enamel (Getty Stock Image)

Drinking sugary drinks without a straw

Dr Sadek says that the way you consume drinks can pose an issue for your teeth, advising that a straw would be best.

She's not alone, as Bupa also advise that using a straw while drinking anything fizzy or acidic can stop the drink from splashing over your chompers and damaging them.

It might be time to invest in a reusable metal straw or get used to the idea of soggy paper straws, if you want to keep those pearly whites, I'm afraid.