Tone Isn’t Everything: Why White Teeth Aren’t Necessarily Healthy

If your smile looks nice and white, you probably think it’s in pretty good shape. That’s only natural – most folks would imagine a bright grin is strong and thriving. However, the truth is that white teeth aren’t necessarily healthy ones; such “pearly whites” could still have serious problems. As for the reason, your local Midland dentist is only too happy to explain. Just keep reading to learn how white teeth can be unhealthy and ways to make your smile whiter and healthier.

How Can White Teeth Be Unhealthy?

While white teeth look great, that doesn’t mean they’re doing well. There’s a chance their pretty appearance is hiding an underlying issue.

A great example is a smile treated with store-bought whiteners. Such a grin may appear strong, but the items used to brighten it are highly abrasive. That means the now-white teeth are likely damaged and missing more of their enamel. As a result, they now have exposed dentin and a higher risk of cavities and infections.

In a case like the one above, you may not even notice anything wrong at first. Any sensitivity stemming from exposed dentin would take time to “kick in.” Before it did, you could keep eroding your enamel entirely unaware.

What Do Healthy Teeth Normally Look Like?

Healthy teeth don’t look perfectly white in the first place. On the contrary, they usually have a slightly yellow tinge.

It comes down to how teeth have multiple layers. Despite what many think, only your smile’s topmost layer – your enamel – looks naturally bluish-white. The dentin beneath this enamel often has a yellow tone that darkens with age. As a result, viewing the layers together reveals a grin with an off-white but slightly yellow tint; it follows that smiles with this color can be strong.

Ways to Make a Smile White & Healthy

If you want your smile to be both white and healthy, just use the following tips:

• Keep Your Mouth Clean – If you brush twice daily and floss once a day, you’ll remove food debris before it can stain your smile.
• Avoid Stain Agents – Go easy on dark-colored foods and drinks, as they have agents that stain teeth. More specifically, avoid red wine, coffee, tea, berries, and tomato sauce.
• See Your Dentist Often – Your dentist can quickly make your smile white and healthy. For example, they can perform dental cleanings that remove plaque and tooth stains.

White teeth aren’t necessarily healthy, so don’t be deceived by good looks. See your dental provider regularly to ensure your grin is both bright and strong.

About the Author

Dr. Laura Philipps is a dentist based in Midland, TX, having earned her DMD from Tufts University. Thanks to twenty-plus years in the field, she has expertise in preventive, cosmetic, and restorative dental work. This skill set ensures she and her team can help patients of all ages achieve truly dreamy smiles. Today, Dr. Philipps practices at her self-titled clinic and is reachable on her website and by phone at (432)-570-4433.