It’s a common desire for people to want white teeth. But the majority of individuals have discolored or just plain yellow teeth. Especially in a world of tea and coffee drinkers.
Your Genes Make a Difference
As with other physical characteristics, there is a genetic component to your oral health. You can thank your parents if your enamel is thick and sturdy. If it is resistant to tooth decay, you can thank them again. Even more importantly, you can thank them if they taught you to take care of your teeth.
Like complexions, natural tooth shade varies from person to person. Some of us have whiter teeth naturally. But many people have discolored teeth due to their lifestyle. Dietary practices and dental hygiene influence tooth color as well as overall oral health.
Lifestyle Habits That Affect Tooth Color
Did you know that your enamel is like your skin? It contains pores that can get clogged and discolored. The most common habits that work against you are:
- Tobacco and other smokable substances
- Sodas and other dark colored drinks, i.e. coffee, red wines, and teas
- Not practicing daily oral hygiene
- Not having proper dental care
If you want to illuminate your teeth, the aforementioned habits will continuously work against you.
We advise kicking these habits to the curb if you want the whitest teeth possible. (There are compelling health ramifications as well.)
Acids Weaken Enamel
Another way these practices cause teeth yellowing is due to acids. A continual onslaught of acidic beverages erodes tooth enamel. This is true whether or not the drinks are dark colored.
Dentin Isn’t The Best Look For Your Smile
The tooth layer under the enamel is called dentin. Unfortunately, dentin is dark yellow. If you are eroding your enamel, you are making it easier to see the yellow dentin. Dentin is also softer and more prone to decay—which is more harmful than a yellow smile.
Jaw Clenching and Teeth Grinding
Jaw clenching can also weaken enamel and contribute to tooth discoloration. If you clench your jaw repeatedly, you are weakening your enamel. Ditto for teeth grinding. Talk to Dr. Acton about treatment for these conditions.
Professional Teeth Whitening at Cary Family Dental
Professional same-day teeth whitening is the only way to remove the stains caused by the habits listed. This is due to the intrinsic stains that have permeated the enamel.
The Formula For Whiter Teeth
What’s the formula for whiter teeth?
A healthy lifestyle + twice-yearly dental exams and cleanings + professional teeth whitening
Contact Cary Family Dental:
919-371-4428
Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):
915 Kildaire Farm Rd
Cary, North Carolina
27511
