Do White Teeth Mean Healthy Teeth?

For many, the ultimate goal is to have a sparkling white smile. But do white teeth really mean healthy teeth? After all, the majority of toothpaste, toothbrushes, mouthwashes, and even gum focus on their ability to deliver a whitening effect to your teeth. However, if whiter teeth are not necessarily healthier teeth, then it may mean money wasted on all of those products. For more information on how to get a truly healthy smile from your Chino Hills dentist, contact us today! We are standing by to deliver immaculate teeth cleaning in Chino Hills.

Whitening Strips

One of the most popular ways to enhance the whiteness of your teeth is by using teeth whitening strips. However, the whitening products may be costing you the healthy, natural enamel on your teeth. It has been reported that the bleaching products contained in the whitening strips weaken the teeth by deteriorating the enamel. This removal of the enamel on your teeth may also cause negative side effects, like tooth sensitivity and gum irritation. Therefore, in this case, whiter teeth do not always mean healthier teeth. For professional and effective teeth whitening, get in touch with your Chino Hills dentist.

Aesthetics

Aesthetically, white teeth are synonymous with brushed, flossed, clean teeth. On the other hand, yellow teeth are associated with dirty, infected, gross teeth. Therefore, the correlation of whiter teeth meaning healthier teeth has become connected in our minds. There is some truth to this association because a deeper shade of yellow in teeth can be a sign of neglect and disease. However, if your teeth are not as white as a napkin or as the keys on your piano that does not mean that your teeth are unhealthy. In fact, it is completely normal for your teeth to have a slight tint to them, making them not completely white.

Stains

The food we ingest and the drinks we consume impact our teeth greatly. For some, the stains left behind may be gradual and take years to really show up. For others, damage can be immediate, like a cracked crown from biting down on hard candy. The stains and damages from these foods and drinks can cause your teeth to take on a yellow shade, which in this case signals unhealthy teeth. However, if you catch the stains early on and actively change your eating and drinking habits, then the damage can likely be fixed.

Gum Health

White teeth can be aesthetically pleasing; however, the color does not always reflect the health of the entire mouth. There have been multiple cases of patients with white teeth, from whitening products, but who have to have major dental work done to correct gum diseases. Your gums serve a very important purpose in the overall health of your mouth. If your gums are neglected, then they can directly impact your teeth as well. Therefore, if white teeth are not accompanied by healthy gums then white teeth do not mean healthy teeth. This is why it is important to focus on the overall health of your mouth by brushing and flossing daily, instead of just focusing on the color of your teeth.

Chino Hills Dentist

With so many factors to consider, it is hard to reach a definite answer on if whiter teeth really do mean healthier teeth. The best way to check how healthy your teeth are is by scheduling an appointment with your Chino Hills dentist to for a thorough check-up. For more information on healthy teeth and treatments available to correct any issues, contact our team at Dental Care of Chino Hills today.