Why Are My Teeth Still Yellow? It Might Not Be What You Think
By now, you probably know the usual suspects behind stained teeth: coffee, tea, red wine, smoking, dark sodas, and poor oral hygiene. These lifestyle choices are among the top causes of surface-level discoloration.
But what if you avoid all of those… and your teeth are still yellow?
You’re not alone—and the answer might lie beneath the surface.
Tooth Color: It Goes Deeper Than You Think
Not all yellow teeth are caused by stains. In fact, tooth color varies naturally from person to person and is often influenced by something deeper: your dentin.
Dentin is the layer of tissue beneath your enamel. While enamel is hard and translucent, dentin has a naturally yellowish hue. Since enamel is slightly see-through, the color of the dentin underneath can shine through—especially if your enamel is thin.
Why Does Dentin Show More for Some People?
A few common reasons include:
- 🧬 Genetics – Some people are simply born with thinner enamel or darker dentin.
- 💊 Medications – Certain medications, especially when taken during tooth development, can affect the color of your dentin.
- 🦷 Natural Variation – Even within your own mouth, some teeth are naturally darker. Canines, for example, have more dentin and often appear more yellow than other teeth.
- 📍 Tooth Anatomy – The area near your gum line tends to be slightly darker than the tips of your teeth, which is totally normal!
Here’s the Good News
Even if your yellowing goes deeper than surface stains, you can still get a whiter smile.
At Soft Touch, our whitening process is designed to work gently but effectively—lifting stains layer by layer, all the way down to the dentin. This is how we’re able to brighten your smile beyond just surface-level results, leaving you with teeth that look naturally radiant.
Ready for a Deeper Clean?
If you’ve been wondering why your teeth don’t seem to whiten with at-home products, it might be time to try a professional treatment that targets more than just the surface. Book with us today and see the difference for yourself!
✨ A brighter smile is just one treatment away. ✨