Yellow teeth or other discolored teeth are not just a purely cosmetic problem, but can even be a sign of disease. Discolored teeth can be caused by the following diseases.
Actually, slight discoloration of the teeth is only a cosmetic problem, right? Not necessarily. Because, in addition to obvious black discoloration, which indicates tooth decay and cavities, yellow or brownish teeth can also be a symptom or the result of certain diseases. The following diseases, among others, can be the cause if your teeth have lost their brilliant white.
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Yellow teeth: 3 diseases as a cause
1. Reflux disease
In addition to the extremely unpleasant heartburn , which can be felt behind the breastbone due to the rising stomach acid, reflux disease can also cause damage in the affected regions. Since stomach acid has a highly corrosive effect on our esophagus and oral cavity, acid reflux can cause inflammation in the esophagus and increase the risk of esophageal cancer. On the other hand, the stomach acid also causes problems for our teeth. To be more precise, it breaks down tooth enamel ( tooth enamel erosion ), which not only increases the risk of caries, but also causes the teeth to turn yellowish. If you experience heartburn regularly, you should therefore consult a doctor to prevent irreversible consequential damage.
2. Celiac disease
The inflammatory bowel disease celiac disease , in which the immune system of those affected reacts strongly to gluten, manifests itself not only through complaints in the gastrointestinal tract. In fact, celiac disease is not uncommonly diagnosed during a visit to the dentist, when discoloration and disorders of tooth enamel formation (enamel hypoplasia) become apparent. This happens especially in childhood when the enamel is still developing. The causes of this have not yet been finally clarified – the disturbed absorption of certain minerals such as calcium due to celiac disease is currently suspected. According to the US National Institutes of Health (NIH)Such damage to the second teeth is permanent and unfortunately does not go away even if you follow a gluten-free diet.
3. Bruxism
Severe teeth grinding, which those affected unconsciously and usually do at night or under stress, is also known as bruxism . Over time, this leads to harmful abrasion of the teeth and degradation of the tooth enamel. In severe cases, tooth enamel can crack and yellow or dark spots can appear.
