{"id":67,"date":"2023-09-15T12:53:53","date_gmt":"2023-09-15T12:53:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mynorthbethesdadentist.com\/blog\/?p=67"},"modified":"2023-10-30T12:54:04","modified_gmt":"2023-10-30T12:54:04","slug":"white-teeth-dont-equal-good-oral-health","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mynorthbethesdadentist.com\/blog\/?p=67","title":{"rendered":"Whitening vs. Wellness: Why White Teeth Aren\u2019t Always the Healthiest"},"content":{"rendered":"
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In a culture that places so much emphasis on appearance, there can be a great deal of pressure to focus on your mouth’s aesthetics. This is often to the detriment of the function of your body, including your teeth. Whitening treatments are a great way to remove stains and restore a brilliant smile, but they can\u2019t fix any of your other dental issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Continue reading to learn why the color of your teeth doesn\u2019t always match the level of your oral health<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

What Color Are Teeth Supposed to Be?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Teeth come in many shades and variations of color. The staining on your teeth is almost like a fingerprint as no two people are exactly the same.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Teeth are made up of layers. The outer layer of a tooth is called enamel, and it varies in thickness and translucency. The layer underneath is called dentin, and it has a yellow color to it. Natural teeth can be somewhat yellow because the dentin can show through the enamel to a degree.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Are White Teeth Not an Indicator of Oral Health?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Even if your teeth are bright white, you could still have some underlying oral health issues that haven\u2019t been addressed such as cavities and gum disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cavities can sometimes hide in crevices where they\u2019re hard to see, so this is why it\u2019s best to go to your dentist to do the treatment instead of buying a kit over the counter. In fact, your dentist won\u2019t proceed with whitening treatments unless they know you don\u2019t have any cavities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Teeth whitening kits use a chemical called hydrogen peroxide to achieve their stain-busting effect. The chemical gets into the pores of your teeth and can make them sensitive for a few hours after the treatment. If you have any cavities, this effect can also trigger toothache pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gum disease is another condition you can carry, even with a bright set of pearly whites. As bacteria settle into the spaces between your teeth and gums, they can multiply and cause a severe infection. This turns your gums red and puffy and can even lead to tooth loss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Do Teeth Change Color?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Teeth naturally change color over time for many reasons. While some can affect your oral health, others are superficial:<\/p>\n\n\n\n