It’s a common desire for our patients at Steven T. Cutbirth DDS to want white teeth. But the majority of individuals have discolored or just plain yellow teeth. Especially in a world of tea and coffee drinkers.
Your Genes Make a Difference
As with other physical aspects, there is a genetic component to your oral health. You can thank your parents if your enamel is thick and strong. If it is resistant to cavities, you can thank them again. Even more importantly, you can thank them if they taught you to take care of your teeth.
Like complexions, natural tooth shade varies from person to person. Some of us have whiter teeth naturally. However many individuals have darkened teeth due to their lifestyle. Dietary behaviors and dental hygiene influence tooth color as well as overall oral health.
Lifestyle Habits That Affect Tooth Color
Did you know that your enamel is like your skin? It contains pores that can get clogged and discolored. The most common behaviors that work against you are:
- Tobacco and other smokable substances
- Sodas and other dark-colored drinks, i.e. coffee, red wines, and teas
- Not practicing daily oral hygiene
- Not having proper dental care
If you want to improve your teeth, the aforementioned habits will constantly work against you.
We recommend kicking these habits to the curb if you want the whitest teeth possible. (There are compelling health considerations as well.)
Acids Weaken Enamel
Another way these practices cause teeth yellowing is due to acids. A continual onslaught of acidic beverages erodes tooth enamel. This is true whether or not the drinks are dark colored.
Dentin Isn’t The Best Look For Your Smile
The tooth layer under the enamel is called dentin. Unfortunately, dentin is dark yellow. If you are weakening your enamel, you are making it easier to see the yellow dentin. Dentin is also softer and more prone to cavities—which is more harmful than a yellow smile.
Jaw Clenching and Teeth Grinding
Jaw clenching can also weaken enamel and contribute to tooth discoloration. If you clench your jaw repeatedly, you are weakening your enamel. Ditto for teeth grinding. Talk to Dr. Cutbirth about treatment for these conditions.
Professional Teeth Whitening at Steven T. Cutbirth DDS
Professional in-office teeth whitening is the only way to remove the stains caused by the habits listed. This is due to the intrinsic stains that have permeated the enamel.
The Formula For Whiter Teeth
What’s the formula for whiter teeth?
A healthy lifestyle + twice-yearly dental exams and cleanings + professional teeth whitening
Contact Steven T. Cutbirth DDS:
254-772-5420
Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):
1613 Lake Success Dr
Waco, Texas
76710