If you asked most people what they would change about their teeth, one of the things you’d hear most often is “the color of their smile.” Just about everyone wishes that they had a Hollywood-white smile, and the lucky few who have it are typically incredibly proud of their teeth.
However, any dentist will tell you that there’s a lot more to a healthy smile than a pretty color. In fact, even if you have perfectly white teeth, you could still be dealing with serious oral health problems that need to be addressed. Here’s what you should know about the connection between the color of your teeth and your oral health.
What Color are Healthy Teeth?
First of all, it’s worth noting that the color of your enamel isn’t necessarily the best indicator for your overall oral health. While a gray or extremely dark tooth is a bad sign, that isn’t necessarily the case for yellowing.
As a matter of fact, it’s perfectly normal for healthy, untreated enamel to have a slight yellowish tint. Natural enamel isn’t “tissue white,” even if you aren’t dealing with food stains. This is especially true if you’re older, as people’s teeth typically darken with age.
While white teeth are often desirable, they certainly aren’t necessary for a healthy smile.
Oral Health Problems for People with White Teeth
Even if you do have perfectly white teeth, that doesn’t necessarily mean that your oral health is pristine. For one, you may very well have gum disease or other issues that could be invisible if you’re only looking at your teeth, but could be lurking beneath the surface.
Moreover, it’s well-known that over-using some cheap, over-the-counter whitening products can do damage to your teeth, so if you got your glistening smile from one of these products, you may have sensitive or weakened enamel as a result. It’s also why you should get your teeth whitened by a dentist if you’re going to do it at all.
All this to say that you can’t assume that your oral health is good just because your teeth are white. Even if your smile looks good, you still need to see a dentist often if you want to guarantee excellent oral health.
About Our Practice
It’s easy to find a dentist, but it can be surprisingly hard to find someone to call your dentist. At Columbia Healthy Smiles, we endeavor to be the sort of place you’re happy to call your new dental home. Here, we provide comfortable and comprehensive dental services to all of our patients, ensuring that no matter what dental issue you’re facing, you’ll leave our office in much better health than when you came in.
If you have any questions about the color of your teeth, we can be reached at our website or by phone at (573) 875-7071.