Without a doubt, a bright and gleaming smile can look strong and stable. Most people would think that such a grin is free of any oral issues. All that said, you shouldn’t be duped by appearances; whiter teeth aren’t necessarily healthy. Pearly whites that live up to their nickname can still face many problems, causing your oral health to suffer. To see proof of these facts, just read over this summary from your Independence dentist.
Yes, White Teeth Can Be Unhealthy
Even if your teeth look amazing, they may suffer from poor health. A grin with beautifully white enamel can hide underlying issues.
To give an example, say you recently brightened your smile with store-bought whiteners. The resulting grin could look strong while having suffered from abrasive agents. After all, the now-whitened teeth have likely been damaged by the whiteners’ ingredients and lost some of their enamel. They may even have some of their dentin exposed, resulting in a higher risk of cavities and infections.
Many patients wouldn’t even notice anything wrong in the above case, at least not at first. Sensitivity from exposed dentin would take time to “kick in” and be felt. In the time until it does, you may end up eroding your enamel without realizing it.
What Healthy Teeth Normally Look Like
To be honest, healthy teeth don’t look perfectly white in the first place. Most have a yellowish tinge to them when viewed up close.
You know how teeth have multiple layers? Well, it’s only the topmost layer – your enamel – that tends to look bluish-white. The underlying dentin normally has a yellow tone that darkens with age. Given that fact, viewing the layers together reveals a grin with an off-white but slightly yellow look. Such a smile would be strong even if it isn’t perfectly white.
Tips on Making a Smile White & Healthy
Of course, it’s possible to make your smile both white and healthy. Just do the following:
- Practice Good Oral Hygiene – By brushing twice daily and flossing once daily, you’ll remove food debris that’d otherwise stain your smile.
- Avoid Stain Agents – Dark-colored foods and drinks have agents that stain teeth. Therefore, avoid items like red wine, coffee, tea, berries, and tomato sauce.
- Get Frequent Dental Checkups – If you get dental checkups and cleanings at least twice yearly, your dentist can remove plaque and tooth stains that’d distort your smile’s shade.
It’s okay that white teeth aren’t necessarily healthy. To make your own grin bright and strong, simply use the tips above!
About the Practice
Justin Garner Dentistry, LLC is based in Independence, MO. Led by Dr. Justin Garner himself, our practice doesn’t try to be pushy or force you into needless, ineffective treatments. We simply suggest the procedures that’d most benefit your smile, whether it’s a simple dental checkup or in-house dental implant surgery. In that way, we aim to respect you and provide the best results possible. For more details or to book a visit, please contact us on our website or by phone at (816)-252-0055.