{"id":612,"date":"2023-09-01T09:06:00","date_gmt":"2023-09-01T09:06:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.richardfossumdds.com\/blog\/?p=612"},"modified":"2023-09-29T21:06:36","modified_gmt":"2023-09-29T21:06:36","slug":"white-teeth-arent-necessarily-healthy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.richardfossumdds.com\/blog\/white-teeth-arent-necessarily-healthy\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Aren\u2019t Whiter Teeth Always Healthier?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Like many, you may see a white smile as obviously strong. That\u2019s only natural \u2013 pearly whites that live up to their name look clean and durable. (In contrast, yellowed enamel can seem sickly and weak.) Truthfully, though, white teeth aren\u2019t necessarily healthy ones<\/a>. Bright chompers can suffer oral issues, while a stained smile may still be strong. Should you like to learn more, your Temple dentist is happy to explain. To that end, here\u2019s why white teeth aren\u2019t always healthier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

White Teeth Can Be Unhealthy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Without question, white and bright teeth look better than brown or yellow ones. Nonetheless, the former kind can suffer health problems in some cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For instance, you may have a bright smile due to over-the-counter whiteners. These items aren\u2019t good for teeth, as they\u2019re abrasive and wear away at enamel. Consequently, they can expose your underlying dentin to bacteria and increase your risk of cavities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s worse, whitener side effects aren\u2019t always noticeable. They can erode your enamel without you knowing it. From there, your smile would weaken even as you\u2019re none the wiser.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Slightly) Yellowed Teeth Can Be Healthy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Yes, (slightly) stained teeth look grimy. Discoloration from food makes them seem weathered and weak. Even so, a yellowed smile can have decent enamel and be relatively healthy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Remember, strong teeth tend to have a yellow hue anyway. Enamel is naturally blue-white, but the underlying dentin has a yellowy tone. Seen together, the tooth layers appear off-white with a slightly yellow tinge. In other words, teeth with sufficiently strong enamel can be stained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time, do note that enamel thins with age. The wear and tear of meals shave the layer away. As a result, your yellow dentin will become more apparent. However, teeth with (relatively) thin enamel can be healthy and cavity-free.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Get White & Healthy Teeth<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Thankfully, it’s possible to have the best of both worlds \u2013 teeth that are healthy and bright. All you need to do is follow the right habits. In particular, consider those listed below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n