We often associate white teeth with impeccable dental health, as they show no outward signs of tooth decay. But that doesn’t mean they are strong and healthy. There are other factors that contribute materially to how well your teeth fare.
Most — if not all — of us want to achieve a sparkling white smile. This is why many scrutinize their choice of toothpaste, toothbrushes, mouthwashes, and dental floss to determine if they have whitening properties. However, the question remains: Are whiter teeth healthier?
White vs. Yellow Teeth: A Quick FAQ Sheet
- Are teeth naturally white or yellow?
Teeth shades and tints vary from person to person. The natural colour of our teeth is attributable to the different layers of a tooth. The enamel, its outermost layer, has a bluish-white colour and is translucent. Below the enamel, we find the naturally yellow hard tissue called dentin. Because you can see through the enamel’s translucent layer, your teeth appear to have a slight yellow tinge because of the dentin underneath.
- Why do we think white is healthier than yellow?
In the age-old debate regarding what colour our teeth should be, white seems to be the generally accepted winner. Aesthetically, white teeth are equated to clean teeth that are brushed, flossed, and taken care of thoroughly and regularly. Yellow teeth, on the other hand, are seen to be dirty, riddled with bacterial infection and decay.
Psychologically, this makes sense, because a deeper shade of yellow in teeth can be a sign of neglect and disease. However, it is perfectly fine for your teeth to be a shade between white and yellow. What matters is that you keep them healthy by sticking to a dental routine and going to the dentist for regular checkups.
- Despite rigorous dental hygiene, my teeth never get white—should I be worried?
If your teeth are more of an off-white or yellowish-white, that’s only their natural state! Contrary to popular belief, your teeth are not supposed to be too white. So when somebody claims, “Hey, my teeth are naturally white,” you can always ask them, “Why?” That’s hard to answer without telling the truth about the teeth bleaching procedures they went through for that brighter, whiter smile.
- Why are some people’s teeth whiter than others?
Celebrities on TV are the reason why we have unrealistic expectations of teeth colour. Rest assured, those bright smiles we see onscreen got a little more help than just brushing and flossing. Those smiles have been reinforced by a dental application known as veneers.
Veneers are thin pieces of porcelain used to recreate the natural look of teeth. while also providing strength and resilience comparable to natural tooth enamel. In most cases, people who get veneers tend to choose a shade brighter so they have a set of all-perfect plain white teeth. There’s nothing wrong with that, as long as your dentist gives you the green light.
Others who are getting dental replacements such as complete dentures can also consider getting their replacement teeth whitened. Worried about how white you should go? Choose a shade that closely resembles the whites of your eyes, and you’re good to go.
- So…is yellow really the natural colour of healthy teeth?
While a light yellow-white shade is generally considered normal, you have to remember still that not ALL yellow teeth are healthy. If the yellowing comes from plaque or tartar buildup, that’s not good news for your dental health.
Common Causes of Teeth Discolouration
When your teeth are too yellow for their own good, they may be showing signs of dental problems that could affect your overall health. The following are the common causes of teeth discolouration that can make or break your dental wellness:
- Food and Beverages
What you eat and drink dictates how soon your teeth will yellow and how yellow they will be. Foods and drinks that are highly pigmented can stain teeth with excessive intake. If a substance can stain your clothes, it can stain your teeth. So be wary when you drink tea, coffee, and red wine. Go easy on the curry and soy sauce, too.
Acidic substances pose a greater risk for your teeth. Acid weakens the enamel, making it porous and more likely to stain. Beverages like citrus juices, red wine, and coffee are a lethal combo: they are both acidic and pigmented, so they are sure to stain your teeth significantly.
- Oral Hygiene
Your teeth’s yellowing depends mostly on your oral hygiene — or lack thereof. When plaque builds up, it hardens into tartar, which is an accumulation of hard yellow deposits on your teeth. Left unattended, this can cause bad breath, tooth sensitivity, cavities, or severe gum disease.
- Illness
Individuals who are undergoing chemotherapy for head and neck cancers may develop stained or yellow teeth. Some medications, such as the antibiotic tetracycline, can cause tooth staining in children 8 years and below.
- Medication
High blood pressure and asthma medications can also contribute to yellow teeth. Did you know even mouthwashes can make your teeth yellow? Some contain chlorhexidine and cetylpyridinium chloride, which are known to contribute to dental staining.
- Smoking
If you’re a smoker, your teeth will turn a deeper shade of yellow over time. Cigarettes contain nicotine, tar, and tobacco which can discolour teeth. The teeth of chain smokers can turn almost brown.
- Aging
Your teeth naturally turn yellow as you get older. As the enamel begins to wear out faster, the dentin (the yellow layer beneath) gradually becomes exposed. Some prefer to get precision dentures when they start losing their teeth, and they have the option to choose a whiter shade of teeth to regain that bright white smile they’ve always wanted to keep.
- Genetics
Compared to having naturally white teeth, having naturally yellow teeth is more genetically common. Yellow-tinged teeth may be handed down to you through your genes, and there is nothing you can do about that. It is possible for you to inherit teeth with more porous enamel that is more susceptible to yellowing.
Achieving a Healthy White Smile
If you are one of those who feel more confident with a set of perfect white teeth, there are steps you can take to realize that goal.
- Maintain a good teeth cleaning regime. Brush twice daily and commit to flossing. Keep the enamel looking whiter longer. To remove the tartar build-up that’s creating yellow lines between your teeth, floss regularly. If you’re wearing dentures, there are steps to take care of them to prevent discolouration.
- Take good care of your gums. What is the use of ultra-white teeth if you still need major dental work to correct an underlying gum disease? If white teeth are not accompanied by healthy gums then white teeth do not mean healthy teeth. Instead of just focusing on the colour of your teeth, pay attention to your gums, too, as they serve as an essential foundation of strong, healthy teeth.
- Make good dietary choices. Food and drinks have a direct impact on our teeth. Stains and damages from what we ingest can cause our teeth to take on a yellow shade, which in this case signals unhealthy teeth. However, such damages can still be fixed if we catch the signs early on and make a move to actively change our eating and drinking habits.
A balanced and nutritious diet is good for your general health. Without the right nutrients, your teeth and gums are more prone to decay and gum disease. Most beverages can contribute to teeth discolouration, so if you want to maintain that bright white smile, it’s best to stick to water.
- Visit your dentist regularly. Regular visits to the dentist are essential to maintaining good oral health. Deep scaling and root planing are some dental cleaning procedures that reduce the amount of tartar build-up, giving you a healthy and bright smile.
- Consider teeth whitening procedures. There are dental offices that offer in-house whitening procedures. If you prefer something more subtle, dentists can provide at-home whitening kits where you apply a whitening gel to the teeth every night until the desired whitening effect is reached.
The verdict: White teeth aren’t necessarily healthier, and yellow teeth aren’t necessarily an indication of decay. However, if your teeth start to turn a greyish colour, or even black, this is a sign of pulp necrosis and may need to be replaced.Do you have loose, decaying, or missing teeth you need replaced? Reach out to Smiles Denture Care Centre. We specialize in high-quality dental replacements that realistically match the original colour of your teeth. Call us now at (519) 457-2800 to book an appointment with us.
