Today we are exploring Teeth Whitening in detail. The attributes of success in modern society, of course, include a snow-whiter smile. However, not everyone can boast of a natural white shade of teeth. As a rule, they resort to the bleaching procedure to achieve it. Below we will look at what color is optimal for teeth, how to save enamel, and why teeth can darken at all.
Usually, tooth enamel is milky white and translucent. But over time, it can darken under the influence of certain factors. It does not depend on the enamel itself but on the properties of the dentin visible through it.
In young people, the enamel layer is denser, the teeth have an uneven surface. Consequently, the reflection of light from it cannot be perfectly even. Thus, the tooth looks brighter, the thicker the enamel on it, and the more intense the microrelief. On the contrary, over the years, the surface of the teeth becomes smoother, and the enamel layer becomes thinner. Dentin shines through more and more clearly, and its natural color is much darker than enamel and can be gray, yellow, or light brown.
Further, with age, the enamel becomes smaller, the dentin also changes, and the teeth become darker due to the translucence of the red-brown pulp. In this case, initially, the cutting edge of the tooth is always lighter than the area closer to the root.
The teeth differ in shades and among themselves. For example, fangs tend to be darker in color than incisors.
What is natural tooth color?
Speaking about the natural color of teeth, it is necessary to remember the genetic, and racial characteristics of people. Representatives of various nations also have characteristic shades of a smile. So, it was revealed that the teeth of the Slavs are distinguished by a red-brown, sometimes reddish-gray tone. Scientists have found that the environment in this case has less influence than the hereditary factor.
There is a well-known stereotype that African Americans have much whiter teeth than Europeans and Asians. However, this is not so, just against the background of dark skin, the smile looks more contrasting. The same can be seen in the example of a simply tanned person.
Experts of the American Dental Association, by the way, believe that yellowish teeth are best treated for whitening. Brown is next in efficiency, and gray teeth are the most difficult to work with.
How to choose the color of your teeth
The prosthodontist selects the optimal shade for the prostheses during the work so that it matches the color of the patient’s teeth. If we are talking about the manufacture of a complete circuit or non-removable design, the patient is given relative freedom in color preferences. However, it is worth remembering that in this case, it is also necessary to take into account the color of the hair, the whites of the eyes, and the skin. Usually, teeth that are lighter in color than the whites of the eyes look unnatural and stand out too much.
It is impossible to ignore the material from which veneers and crowns are made. Having the same color index, these designs are visually different in plastic, composite, and ceramic-metal versions.
Also, the perception of the color of the teeth depends on the lighting. That is why in the process of selecting a shade for dentures or veneers, some requirements must be observed: the walls of the office, as well as the clothes of the doctor and the patient, must be of a neutral color, and the lighting must be natural. Fair sex should come to the reception without lipstick on the lips.
How is tooth color determined?
When making prostheses, dental technicians rely on a table of colors called the Vita scale. According to her, there are four main possible colors:
- Brown,
- Yellow,
- Grey,
- Red.
Each of the listed colors has a gradation of shades in points from one to four – in increasing intensity. For example, the index A1 means that we are talking about a light shade in the reddish-brown range. A2 is darker, and so on. Yellow is B, gray is C, and reddish gray is D.
What should be the color of teeth in children?
Healthy baby teeth have a clean, translucent white color. Their development begins at the sixth week of gestation, and by the end of the ninth month, two dozen milk teeth are fully formed. Expectant mothers should carefully monitor their health and consult with specialists regarding the intake of certain drugs so as not to harm the baby. For example, if a woman takes tetracycline antibiotics during pregnancy, this contributes to the staining of the teeth and bones of the fetus. Tetracycline accumulates in the small body and causes gray and yellow streaks on the child’s teeth. In this case, the enamel is painted not only from the outside, but also from the inside, so further whitening becomes difficult.
What to do if the color of the tooth has changed
If you notice that the tooth has changed in color, contact your dentist as soon as possible, as this may signal the development of various pathologies.
- Trauma can lead to the blackening of the tooth, due to which processes of tissue necrosis begin in the pulp area.
- A filling containing metal can also “darken” the tooth. These materials include silver, tin, mercury, and zinc. Today they are outdated and practically not used.
- In children, tooth discoloration can be caused by taking antibiotics at an early age.
- Smokers, as well as workers in the metallurgical industry, often have a brown-black shade of teeth. Yellowness indicates the frequent use of coffee or tea. Foods with a high content of colorants also aggressively affect the whiteness of the teeth. Among them are red wine, beets, juices, and berries. Carbonated water, in addition to the effects of dyes, also softens the enamel.
Systemic diseases and tooth color
Teeth can also change color due to several systemic pathologies. So, if the exchange of fluorine in the body is disturbed, light stripes or spots appear on the enamel. The same thing happens with fluorosis. Heavy metal poisoning makes teeth gray.
If the teeth have acquired a pinkish color, most likely, a resorcinol-formalin mixture was used for their treatment. Then you need to resort to ending bleaching.
Chronic periodontitis, pulpitis, or trauma that has not been treated on time also leads to the fact that the tooth turns pink. If the red tone increases, the cause may lie in the death of the pulp and many systemic diseases (cholera, typhoid, dysentery, and others).
Restoring the color of teeth
For the doctor to competently and effectively restore the color of the tooth, first you need to find out what causes the darkening. The detected pathology needs to be cured or transferred to the remission stage. Further, it is advisable to use professional bleaching.
There are other means, for example, a special decorative varnish. It is applied to the teeth in the morning and brushed off in the evening.
you can also get Gum Plastic Surgery Of The Anterior Teeth
Of the more radical methods – is the installation of lumineers. Unlike veneers, they are less translucent and therefore can offset any unwanted tone.
Thus, at your disposal a range of solutions to restore the natural whiteness of a smile. Consult with a specialist – and act.
Help keep your teeth bright and white
Keeping your smile white is important because it can make you feel good about yourself and look great! There are many things you can do to help keep your teeth bright and white. Let’s explore some of these ways together.
Use whitening toothpaste
Whitening toothpaste is a type of toothpaste that can help keep your teeth white. It has special chemicals in it that can remove surface stains and brighten your teeth. Just make sure you follow the instructions on the toothpaste, so you don’t use too much.
Don’t smoke or use tobacco
Smoking and using tobacco can turn your teeth yellow and make them look bad. They can also cause other health problems, like gum disease and cancer. If you don’t smoke or use tobacco, you will be helping your teeth and your overall health.
Go to the dentist
Going to the dentist is important for keeping your teeth healthy and white. Your dentist can check your teeth for any problems and clean them to remove any dirt or stains.
Get professional teeth whitening
If you want to have really white teeth, you can get professional teeth whitening from a dentist. This is a special treatment that uses bleach to remove stains and make your teeth white. It’s safe and effective, but it can be expensive.
In conclusion, keeping your teeth white takes effort, but it’s worth it. By brushing and flossing, being careful about what you eat and drink, not smoking, going to the dentist, trying home remedies, and considering professional teeth whitening, you can have a bright, beautiful smile.