Dr. Shire discusses the truths and myths around getting your teeth to a perfect shade of white.
It’s been almost a year of mandatory masks in Saskatchewan and now it’s time to show everyone your shiny pearly whites! But what if they aren’t white, or shiny? Why are teeth a certain colour? Can that colour change… and how?
We will dive deep into tooth colour, the process of colouration and common myths about whitening teeth. Strap yourselves in!
Why do people have different colours of teeth?
In dentistry the colour of a tooth is called ‘shade’. The shade of our teeth is determined by many factors, including biology, lifestyle and behavior. The natural colour of teeth is created by the two hard layers of teeth: enamel and dentin. Most people have heard of the outer layer, enamel. It is the hardest substance in our body and protects our teeth from breaking and sensitivity. Enamel is naturally a bright white hue but it is also translucent, meaning light is able to pass through, so the layer of tooth underneath the enamel also affects the colour of teeth. Dentin, the soft and sensitive inner layer underneath the enamel, has a pale yellow hue. Dentin is the reason our teeth aren’t naturally stark white, but have natural accents of yellow. Tooth shade is not uniform either, they become more yellow naturally towards the gumline. This is because the outer layer of white enamel is thinnest at the gumline and thickest at the edge of our teeth.
No one is born with the same shade of tooth. Everyone has a unique shade and thickness of dentin and enamel, making each person’s teeth shade personalized to them!
Outside of our biology, our habits and lifestyle can greatly affect tooth shade. Darker food and drinks such as coffee, wine, tea, fruits, and cola cause extrinsic staining of teeth. Extrinsic stains occur on the outer layer layer of enamel making teeth appear darker.
Other things that can alter tooth shade are genetics, trauma and infection. This will discolour the tooth from the inside out, called intrinsic staining. Intrinsic staining can create a variety of stains including darker greys, brighter yellows, and even soft pinks.
Picture of tooth anatomy
Can you improve colour? Is it possible?
You may be asking yourself, ‘How can I change my stained teeth?!’. The good news is there are many options available to improve the shade of teeth. Most often teeth are darker, stained or less white because of extrinsic staining. Thankfully extrinsic staining is easy to treat.
Reducing the habits and food that stain teeth will help. Smoking creates very dark and heavy staining in peoples teeth. Cutting back (better yet, quitting!) will not only brighten teeth, but also improve the entire health of your body. Reducing coffee/tea, red wine, darker food, etc. can also help reduce staining. But if you’re like me and need your morning cup of coffee, there are plenty of ways to help brighten those pearly whites!
If you are already brushing twice a day and see no improvement there are a variety of products that help brighten teeth. Whitening toothpastes (make sure they are fluoridated), whitening strips, gels and other over-the-counter methods are viable options to start brightening your smile! Unfortunately these methods are very short acting and do not last long. Which is why seeking professional whitening may be the next step in creating that perfect smile!
Various factors can affect the color of your teeth which can alter their appearance. (Image credit: Subbotina Anna | Shutterstock )
Common tales around tooth colour
Teeth whitening myths have been around for decades and with social media they have become even more pervasive in the last couple of years.
I have seen people use charcoal toothpaste and their teeth are way brighter after. Should I do that? - Charcoal is all over the internet right now and I would be very careful using it. Charcoal brushing removes stains by abrasion, wearing away the tooth, and may actually wear down enamel. Over time enamel may thin out which may increase sensitivity, make the tooth easier to chip and even appear more yellow, which is why we used charcoal in the first place, yikes! I would recommend against any abrasive pastes for teeth in order to keep them strong and healthy.
Coconut oil can remove stains. - Although it may taste yummy, there is no significant data to suggest that coconut oil, or any other oil will remove stains.
Whitening lasts forever! - I wish this were the case, but unfortunately whitening fades over time. Teeth need to be whitened regularly to maintain their brightness and shine.
What treatments are available to patients to improve teeth colour?
Booking regular professional cleanings with a certified hygienist will not only remove plaque and tartar build up, but has the added benefit of helping to remove superficial stains on your teeth! Once your teeth have been properly cleaned there are multiple treatment options.
If you are looking for longer lasting or with more powerful whitening, seeking advice from your dental health care professional is recommended. At Blairmore Dental we offer a variety of options to suit your whitening needs. We offer chairside whitening, as well as custom take home trays that are made specific to your teeth. Our professional whitening is achieved by using a product called carbamide peroxide. Carbamide peroxide safely bleaches the teeth without removing too much enamel. It’s safe, easy and has great results!
Opalescence whitening products used at Blairmore Dental Centre
On the hunt for some teeth whitening services?
Our clinic offers a series of services which will help combat tooth discolouration. Just remember, there is a lot you can do at home to maintain oral health. Keep flossing, brushing and as in most cases there is no quick fix to making your teeth the perfect shade of white. Give our clinic a call on 306-931-0000 to discuss options available to you.
Our clinic is proudly accepting new patients! If you would like to see Dr. Hamilton or Dr. Shire give us a call or visit our website for more information.