Teeth whitening is no longer something reserved for the wealthy and famous. Everyone appears to be looking for methods to whiten and brighten their smile.
A single trip to the grocery shop is enough to discover several shelves stocked with teeth whitening products. Knowing the facts about how to care for your teeth and gums is essential for obtaining and maintaining a healthy smile.
The color of your teeth does not provide a good indication of your dental health. People’s teeth come in a variety of hues and tints. In reality, the color of your teeth is determined by a variety of different variables.
Here are some typical dental health misconceptions to help you distinguish between truth and myths.
1. White Teeth Are Natural
Everyone’s teeth are unique. Variables in enamel thickness and shade produce hues other than white, which are entirely natural.
2. Braces Contribute to the Yellowing of Teeth
Braces do not cause teeth to yellow on their own. The yellowing linked with braces, on the other hand, is caused by bacteria accumulation. Brush your teeth properly if you have braces to avoid bacteria accumulation.
3. Yellow Teeth Are Unhealthy
Even if your teeth aren’t white, they may still be healthy. If the color of the teeth is due to plaque accumulation or staining, they are termed unhealthy. Off-white teeth are often healthy.
What Causes Teeth Yellowing
When the color of your teeth changes, this is referred to as tooth discoloration. They aren’t as brilliant or white as they should be. Your teeth may darken, change color from white to another hue, or develop white or black patches in some areas.
Tooth discoloration may be caused by a variety of factors, including:
Medication/ Illness/ Diet – Changes in the body, such as those caused by medicine or sickness, may cause a change in the color of your teeth. Similarly, if your diet is not the healthiest, it may lead to tooth discoloration.
Smoking – Smoking is one of the leading causes of yellow teeth. The tar and nicotine in cigarettes substantially discolor the enamel of the teeth.
Aging – It is pretty natural for teeth to yellow as you age. The enamel wears away over time, exposing the dentin layer and causing a yellow hue.
Genetics – As previously mentioned, not all teeth are created equal. Some individuals are born with more permeable enamel than others. The more permeable the enamel, the more probable teeth will begin to yellow.
What Is the Ideal Shade of Your Teeth
Advances in dental technology have made it feasible for anybody to whiten their teeth and get a brighter smile. This whitening fad, however, has been known to go too far. Smile whitening, like most things, is best done in moderation and with the assistance of a dentist. Your dentist can assist you in determining the most acceptable whitening procedure for you and determining your perfect shade. Even though the final decision is yours, a good rule of thumb to follow is to keep your teeth no whiter than the whites of your eyes for the most natural look.
What Happens If Your Teeth Are Too White?
Over-whitening your teeth is a genuine risk with serious repercussions. Too much whitening of your teeth may cause enamel loss, which is not only irreversible but can also lead to severe issues such as:
- Darker Teeth – The whole purpose of teeth whitening is to have a brighter smile. On the other hand, over-whitening may cause teeth to look transparent and, consequently, darker than they were before whitening.
- Increased Sensitivity – Tooth sensitivity is one of the most common adverse effects of smile whitening. This sensitivity is mostly transient; nevertheless, sensitivity may develop severely and persist long if teeth are subjected to too many whitening procedures or too often.
- Irritated Gums – Bleaching your teeth may also cause gum irritation, particularly if too much bleach is allowed to come into contact with and remain on the gums for the length of the procedure. This is why a custom whitening tray is generally the most effective method to whiten your teeth.
- Decay – Teeth are left vulnerable to harmful bacteria and acids without protecting enamel, increasing the risk of tooth decay and cavities.
Final Thoughts
Follow all instructions when whitening your teeth at home, don’t keep the whitening treatment on for longer than advised, and only whiten your teeth as stated on the label. Better make an appointment with your teeth whitening dentist for a professional whitening procedure.
If you are looking for a dentist near Mansfield, Ivy Rose Family Dentistry provides various treatment options to help you achieve a whiter and brighter smile. We understand how teeth whitening may make you feel more confident since a beautiful smile reflects a healthy mouth.
