Why Whiter Teeth Aren’t Necessarily Healthier

By Author: Michael Zhang
Total Articles: 55
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When it comes to your smile, odds are you want it to look bright. After all, pearly whites that live up to their nickname are beautiful! Still, the truth is that whiter teeth aren’t necessarily healthier ones. Such chompers can suffer from oral problems at times. Meanwhile, a slightly yellowed grin can seem unpleasant but be strong and functional. If you’d like to learn more, let a qualified dentist explain. Here’s why a smile’s color doesn’t always point to its health.

White Teeth Aren’t Always Healthier
True enough, white and gleaming teeth can look gorgeous. However, they can have serious health issues.

For example, maybe your white smile comes from over-the-counter whiteners. This isn’t ideal; such products are abrasive and wear away at your tooth enamel. The result is that your dentin can be exposed to bacteria and put you at risk of cavities.

Worse yet, these whitener side effects aren’t always visible. You can’t always see enamel erosion as it happens. As a result, people often have cavities without even knowing about them.

A (Slightly) Yellowed Smile Can Be Healthy
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... In contrast, a yellowish grin isn’t necessarily unhealthy. It may well have decent enamel and be free of problems.

You see, most healthy teeth have a light-yellow hue anyway. Enamel is naturally blue-white, and dentin is a darker yellow. When combined, these tooth layers appear off-white with a slightly yellow tinge. Despite not being super bright, though, they’ll still be fine and dandy.

Furthermore, enamel inevitably thins as you age. Due to the wear and tear of meals, the layer is gradually shaved away. This process makes the yellowish dentin more apparent. Even so, teeth with thin enamel can be relatively healthy and cavity-free.

How to Get a Brighter and Healthier Grin
Of course, it’s possible to have teeth that are both white and healthy. You simply need to follow the right oral habits. These include the following:
• Practice Good Oral Hygiene – As you always should, remember to brush twice daily, floss once daily, and rinse often with fluoridated mouthwash. These actions will remove bacteria, plaque, and food bits that can stain teeth.
• Avoid Dark-Colored Foods & Drinks – Unfortunately, some foods and drinks – including tea, coffee, tomato sauce, etc. – have stain agents. Limit these items as best you can to prevent tooth discoloration.
• Get Treatment from a Dentist – Should you want to greatly brighten your smile, contact your local dentist for treatment. They could provide teeth whitening, cosmetic bonding, veneers, and similar procedures. From there, your pearly whites would be several shades lighter!

As you can see, whiter teeth aren’t always the healthiest ones around. With that said, practice the tips above and visit your dental provider – these steps will make your grin beautiful and healthy!