There’s no denying that, for many, white teeth are a big deal.  

Long considered desirable and attractive, whiter teeth are one of the first things people mention when asked about their goals or concerns for their oral health. Whitening products and services are commonplace, and there are a number of safe and effective procedures offered by dentists to help get your teeth sparkling white.

Because of their aesthetic desirability, many assume that whiter teeth are healthier and stronger than more yellowed teeth. But is that really the case? We can definitively answer that no, whiter teeth aren’t generally healthier – it’s fair to say that tooth health or strength has very little to do with colour and everything to do with the strength of your enamel.  

In fact, sometimes the pursuit of white teeth can harm your teeth. Excessive attempts to whiten teeth without the supervision of a qualified dental professional can even lead to its own slew of problems, from tooth sensitivity to weakened enamel.

It’s also important to mention that teeth aren’t naturally pure white. Instead, your teeth fall on a spectrum of colour from a pale yellow to milky white, with any number of shades of white, grey or yellow in between. And, outside of some severe cases of tooth decay, these colours don’t indicate anything about a tooth’s health. So, what does determine tooth colour if not the health of the tooth?  

Lifestyle  

There are any number of lifestyle choices that can affect the colour of your teeth. From drinking tea, coffee, red wine or other staining food and drink, to smoking tobacco or cannabis products, what you put in your mouth can definitely have a significant effect on the colour of your teeth. But as long as you’re maintaining a proper oral health care routine and visiting your dentist regularly, you shouldn’t have any cause for concern.

Age  

As you get older, your teeth will naturally begin to yellow and darken as your enamel begins to thin with a lifetime of wear and use, causing the yellowish-brown dentin underneath to begin to show through more clearly.

Genetics

The x-factor here is that people are just naturally born with different coloured teeth. Someone with genetically whiter teeth but a poor oral health care routine will likely have more frequent issues with cavities or gum disease than someone who takes very good care of their naturally yellow teeth.

That doesn’t mean that there’s anything wrong with wanting whiter teeth, however. Here at Dental Image Therapy Centres, we offer a number of whitening treatments, including Zoom! Whitening, to help you feel confident in your smile in as little as one hour. Interested in learning more? Use the orange Book Online button to set up your appointment today!

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