Dental
Looking at two teeth, you see that one is sparkling white on the front surface, but it has a small cavity on the back side. The other is several shades duller than the first but otherwise strong. Which tooth would you consider to be healthier? You’ve heard the expression not to judge a book by its cover; well, you can’t always judge a tooth by its color.
Although social media and “beauty experts” would beg to differ, white teeth are not always required for your mouth to be considered healthy. The truth is that the color of the enamel doesn’t affect the tooth’s strength, health, or function and should therefore be a lower priority issue for you and your dentist compared to others.
Whiter Isn’t Always Better
The color of your teeth can be deceiving. With age and use, your teeth can begin to discolor and appear dull or yellow and yet be completely healthy. On the other side of the coin, teeth can have various problems and still appear pristinely white.
One of the most risky reasons you shouldn’t depend on the color of a tooth to let you know whether it’s healthy is that you cannot easily see all the surfaces of your teeth. You could have cavities or other damage on the inside you can’t see. Not even your dentist can see everything in a regular exam. That’s why they take X-rays to expose potential trouble hidden from the naked eye.
Problems White Teeth Can Have
Even if your pearly whites are just that, it doesn’t automatically mean they are healthy. There are a host of issues they can still have that puts your smile in danger. For example, a perfectly white tooth could have a crack in it, through which bacteria can enter and cause decay.
In addition, although tooth decay usually manifests as brown, black, or gray, plaque—the sticky substance that contains these bad bacteria—is white and hardens onto teeth with poor oral hygiene. In short, white plaque can make your teeth look white!
When plaque hardens near the gumline, it can cause this soft tissue to appear red and puffy, bleeding easily in the first stage of gum disease. Eventually, these swollen, red gums pull away from the teeth. In other words, white teeth are not healthy unless they have pink, firm gums attached to them!
Better Indications of a Healthy Smile
So if you cannot rely on the color of teeth to tell you whether your teeth are healthy, what does indicate a healthy smile? No tooth sensitivity or pain and a clean bill of health from your dentist at your checkup and cleaning appointments.
It’s okay to care about the color of your teeth; that’s why your dentist provides professional teeth whitening services! However, other oral health concerns take precedence. If you wish to whiten your teeth, your mouth must be infection and decay free; and even if you think you have perfectly white teeth, you still need to see the dentist to make sure!
About the Author
With more than 20 years of clinical experience in the Lincoln area, Dr. Wesley Parks has undergone hundreds of hours of advanced training in complex procedures. He is a member of the Academy of General Dentistry and the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. Although he can certainly treat cosmetic problems, he first focuses on any restorative needs. If you have questions about oral health, you can contact Dr. Parks at Parks Family Dental by calling 402-484-6042 or by clicking here.