Why Some Teeth are Whiter
Healthy, white teeth come in a variety of hues and shades. We are all unique, and so are our smiles. The white of your teeth actually comes from the outer layer, the enamel. Healthy enamel is like strong bone and protects the inner layers of your teeth. Protecting your enamel is a good way to maintain white teeth.
Still, some people have naturally whiter teeth than others. Maybe it’s a result of good oral hygiene, maybe it’s just good genetics, or maybe they’re just young enough that their teeth haven’t started yellowing yet. Unfortunately, all of our teeth tend to yellow and discolor with age.
Some bad habits that stain your teeth include:
- Smoking or chewing tobacco
- Drinking red wine
- Drinking coffee
- Drinking cola
- Eating dark-colored berries
- Taking certain medications (tetracycline)
How You Can Get White Teeth
People have used a variety of products and procedures since the beginning of time to brighten their smiles. In ancient Egypt, white teeth were a sign of beauty and wealth. The ancient Egyptians used a paste made of ground pumice and wine vinegar to whiten their teeth.
Modern bleaching with peroxide and trays was actually an accidental discovery. Dentists knew that peroxide was a good antiseptic and used it to treat gum disease. As they tried to find ways to keep the peroxide on the gums for longer periods of time, they saw the peroxide also made teeth whiter! Today, whitening products come in all forms: strips, trays, paste, rinses, and laser lights to speed up the process.
Not all teeth have to be blinding or unnatural looking to pass the test. Your dentist can help you determine the best shade of white for your own teeth based on the rest of your coloring. Too much teeth bleaching might increase your tooth sensitivity, so consult with your Hillsboro dentist before you start any whitening treatment.
Bad teeth, broken dreams: Lack of dental care keeps many out of jobs
Without dental care, adults already struggling to get by find that obvious dental problems – teeth that are missing, discolored, broken or badly crooked — make their situation even harder
Most people – including employers – make instant judgments based on appearance, including someone’s smile and teeth.
Proverb says
- “If you want to portray someone as being wicked, they have missing front teeth. If they’re ignorant, they have buck teeth,”
- “Even from a very early age, we associate how one presents their oral health with all kinds of biases that reflect some of the social biases that we have.”
- Those views can prevent potential employers from recognizing potential assets.
- “If they have a job that requires them to interact socially with the public, it’s almost impossible for them to get that job like Customer service jobs, good entry-level jobs. These jobs are not available to people who lack the basic ability to smile, to function, to chew properly.
