You want a movie-star quality smile, and that means having teeth that are as white as can be. You’re proud of how your chompers gleam, and you can’t help but show off your dazzling look to everyone you meet. But hold on a second. As much as we all love a beautiful, white set of teeth, having healthy teeth is even more important. Your dentist in Ponte Vedra Beach explains why having a bright grin doesn’t always mean that your smile is in good shape.
Your Teeth’s Natural Color
Let’s get one thing straight right off the bat — according to nature, teeth aren’t supposed to be white. Even if you never got a single stain on those chompers, they wouldn’t have the blinding sparkle that most people love to see. That’s because enamel, the outer layer of your teeth, is bluish white. It’s also a bit transluscent, making it possible to see the color of the dentin underneath it; dentin usually has a yellowish tint to it. Therefore, it’s possible for even yellow teeth to be perfectly healthy and functional.
Some Dental Problems Won’t Change Your Teeth’s Color
People often equate dark teeth with dental problems, and that is true — but only to an extent. It’s worth noting that stains on your teeth aren’t necessarily an indicator that something is wrong with them. Our chompers naturally become slightly discolored over time, and that’s nothing to be alarmed about.
Some oral health issues, including gum disease, bruxism (teeth grinding) and new decay, won’t affect the color of your teeth at all. That’s why it’s so important to visit your dentist regularly; even if your pearly whites look amazing, there could still be some problems going on that require professional attention.
How to Have It All
So, we’ve learned that the color of your teeth isn’t a reliable indicator of whether they’re healthy. But if nature didn’t make smiles as bright as we like them, does that mean we should refrain from bleaching teeth (whitening them beyond their natural color)?
It’s true that going overboard with bleaching products can damage your smile, irritating the gums and eroding the enamel. Teeth might even begin to look spotty if they’re exposed to overenthusiastic whitening methods. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t have the winning, bright grin that you’ve always wanted.
Bleaching is quite safe for most people. Just be sure to consult your dentist first so they can make sure your teeth are healthy enough to be whitened. It’s also important to follow all the provided instructions for changing the color of your teeth. Your dentist may even be able to provide you with a professional-strength whitening kit that will give you dramatic, head-turning results.
When you achieve teeth that are both healthy and bright, be sure to protect your smile with excellent oral hygiene habits, such as brushing and flossing regularly, and avoiding eating a lot of sugary foods.
Don’t let the color of your teeth fool you; the only way to know for sure if they’re in good shape is to make regular visits to your dentist.
Contact Us
Your dentists in Ponte Vedra Beach wants you to have a smile that is both healthy and gorgeous. If you’d like to find out more about how we can make that happen, please contact us at 904-285-7711.