White Teeth Aren’t Always Healthy

In the world today, having a white smile can seem vital. After all, people see bright grins as pretty and vibrant. Truthfully, though, white teeth aren’t always healthy. Stained enamel can still be strong, while “pearly whites” can have serious oral problems. Simply put, a smile’s looks don’t always reflect its health. Your Dallas dentist can tell you more if you want. To that end, here’s a primer on oral health and smile appearance.

What Do Healthy Teeth Look Like?
While pop culture may say otherwise, healthy teeth don’t look perfectly white. They actually have a slightly yellow hue.

Remember, your teeth have enamel and dentin. Only the former layer is naturally blue-white. In contrast, the underlying dentin is normally yellow. So, viewing them together reveals an off-white but somewhat yellow color. Teeth with this shading are thus often strong and sturdy.

How Could White Teeth Be Unhealthy?

Since they can seem untouched, white teeth often appear healthy. Still, the truth is that their surfaces can hide severe dental issues.

For instance, imagine store-bought products whitened your teeth. Such items are naturally abrasive, so they erode your enamel. In other words, the whitening would remove tooth bits and stains. Your dentin could get exposed as a result, raising your risk of cavities and infections.

In this scenario, you may not even notice the adverse effects at first. It’d be a while before the whiteners made your teeth sensitive or achy. Until they did, however, they’d wear down your teeth without you knowing.

Steps to Bright and Strong Teeth

Luckily, you can make your teeth both bright and strong. It’s just a matter of following good oral habits. With that said, consider the ones listed below:

• Maintain Good Oral Hygiene – Brush your teeth twice daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush. By doing so, you’ll remove “leftovers” that could stain your smile.
• Avoid Stain Agents –  If possible, don’t consume too many dark-colored foods and drinks. These products have stain agents that can darken your enamel. (In particular, restrict your intake of coffee, tea, berries, mustard, and tomato sauce.)
• Visit Your Dentist Often – Of course, your dentist can easily make your teeth white and healthy. Through regular checkups and cleanings, they’ll remove debris and freshen up your smile.

White teeth aren’t always healthy, so don’t get fooled by looks alone. Instead, see your dentist even if your smile has the “right” color.

About the Practice

Bear Creek Family Dentistry is based in Dallas, TX. Led by its varied team of expert dentists, our practice seeks to give healthy smiles to all ages. We thus provide comprehensive dental services, including preventive, cosmetic, and even restorative treatments. Our team is also well-equipped to handle dental emergencies and orthodontics. For more details or to book a visit, please reach us on our website or by phone at (972)-490-1600.