Like many, you may think white smiles are necessarily strong. That’s a typical attitude – a bright grin can often seem vibrant and functional. Still, the truth is that white teeth aren’t always healthy. They can actually suffer from oral issues, while yellowish enamel can still be strong. In fact, your Montpelier dentist will tell you why that’s the case. So, here’s how white teeth can be unhealthy, how healthy teeth normally look, and ways to get a whiter and healthier grin.
Wait, White Teeth Can Be Unhealthy?
Though they may look good, white teeth can sometimes have health issues. Their shiny appearance may hide an underlying problem.
In particular, consider a smile brightened by store-bought whiteners. The latter items are abrasive, so they’d damage the grin’s enamel. In other words, the whiteners would remove both stains and tooth material. Dentin would get exposed as a result, leading to an elevated risk of cavities and infections.
In this case, the person using the whiteners may not think anything’s wrong at first. The sensitivity from exposed dentin would need time to “kick in.” Before it did, though, someone could erode their enamel while remaining unaware.
How Do Healthy Teeth Normally Look?
As a matter of fact, healthy teeth don’t often look perfectly white. They typically have a slightly yellow appearance.
You see, teeth have multiple layers. It’s only the topmost one – your enamel – that’s naturally blue-white. On the other hand, the underlying dentin is usually yellow. When you view the layers together, then, you get an off-white but slightly yellow tint. So, smiles with this color can still be strong.
Steps Toward a White & Healthy Smile
Thankfully, you needn’t choose between a white or a healthy smile. Your grin can have both qualities. To get such results, simply follow the habits below:
- Practice Good Oral Hygiene – Always brush your teeth twice daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush. By doing so, you’ll get rid of food bits before they can stain your smile.
- Avoid Stain Agents – If you can, restrict your intake of dark-colored foods and drinks. These items contain agents that can stain teeth. In particular, you’d do well to avoid red wine, coffee, tea, berries, and tomato sauce.
- Get Regular Dental Checkups – Your dentist has ways to make your smile white and healthy. Notably, dental checkups and cleanings remove debris that stains enamel.
Since white teeth aren’t always healthy, don’t judge your smile’s state by looks alone. Instead, see your dentist even when your grin has the “right” tint.
About the Practice
River Station Family Dentistry is based in Montpelier, VT. Led by Drs. Hale and Bishko, 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 (802)-223-2244.