Expecting to have completely white teeth naturally is an impossible dream. No offense to those who think their favorite movie stars have teeth as white as their dentist’s lab coat. Several factors can influence tooth color. The main factors used by each Dentist Waimea are listed below.
The natural color of teeth varies with age
The color of teeth varies greatly from person to person and becomes darker with age. Indeed, as people age, dentin (located under the enamel and is naturally more yellowish) is more and more exposed because of the gradual thinning of the enamel layer that protects the teeth. That said, teeth become more yellow or gray with age.
Tobacco
Two substances contained in tobacco are particularly known for creating leathery stains:
- Tar (dark)
- Nicotine (naturally colorless but becomes yellowish when introduced to oxygen)
The consumption of various foods and colored drinks
Colored substances contain chromogens (pigments) that easily attach to a person’s tooth enamel. They are found, among others, in the subsequent products:
- Tea
- Red wine
- Coffee
- Tomato soup
- Dark soft drinks
- Tomato soup
- Dark fruit juices
- Curry
- Beets
Visiting a Dentist Waimea can help individuals get the smile they deserve however one person may need one or two visits while another may need several.
Things to consider
Properly brushing teeth and scheduling frequent visits to the dentist can delay the appearance of stains on teeth. Some antihistamines used to counter allergy symptoms, antipsychotics to treat certain mental health problems, high blood pressure medications and tetracycline are known to deeply stain teeth. Chemotherapy and radiation of the head and neck can also cause a change in the color of the teeth.
Indirect factors
Some indirect factors may also influence how a person perceives the color of his or her teeth. For instance, the color of their skin may have something to do with how a person views their smile. The darker the skin of a person, the more his or her teeth will look white.
The color of the lips and gums can also influence the whiteness of a smile. It’s a question of contrast and, people should visit a Dentist Waimea to determine their dental needs.
Makeup is another issue to consider. As with the color of a person’s skin, the darker the makeup is near the mouth, the more the teeth will appear white. Schedule an appointment to learn more.
