Along with others, you likely grew up thinking good teeth are always white. The idea is often promoted by media and pop culture. Truthfully, though, your smile’s shade naturally changes with age. That means your tooth color can point to where you are in life. If you’d like to learn more, here’s a primer on what the color of your teeth says about you.
What Does Your Tooth Color Say About You?
As it happens, there’s a lot you can tell from a person’s tooth color. Consider the shades listed below:
Very White
As an adult, having very white teeth means you take great care of your smile. Patients will only have a bright grin if they get whitening treatments or clean their chompers daily.
That said, smiles are usually at their whitest when you’re an infant. So-called “baby teeth” are more calcified than adult ones. Plus, a baby’s dentin is very light yellow.
Bluish Gray
Some people are born with bluish gray teeth, but this outcome is rare. A blue-gray shade usually stems from a special kind of staining.
You see, antibiotics called tetracyclines can change tooth color. The result is often yellow or brown teeth, but the hue can also be blue-gray. Sadly, though, this staining can’t be undone. It occurs inside the tooth, so whiteners won’t work.
Yellow
Since dentin darkens with age, yellow teeth can imply you’re a not-so-young adult. Thin enamel allows one to see the colored layer beneath it. Plaque can also accumulate over time, leaving teeth dirty and yellow.
All the same, yellow teeth typically mean that you have tooth stains. Odds are you drink plenty of coffee, tea, and red wine that discolor your smile. Without proper cleaning, these materials stain enamel.
Brown
Should your teeth turn brown, it’s likely because your tooth stains have worsened. The buildup of tannins, plaque, and tobacco can easily discolor enamel. When they reach a breaking point, previously yellow stains darken into a deep brown.
If you see brown spots on your teeth, visit your dentist at once. While they’re likely just stains, they could also point to severe tooth decay.
How to Brighten Your Smile
Aside from a whitening procedure, there are several ways to make your grin brighter. Some of the most notable ones are:
- Practice Good Oral Hygiene – If you brush your teeth twice daily, you’ll remove the food and plaque that can stain your smile. Better yet, you’ll also prevent new tooth stains from forming.
- Drink Lots of Water – Unlike soda or wine, water isn’t acidic and won’t stain your teeth. Drinking it will also rinse bits of food and bacteria out of your mouth.
- See Your Dentist Often – With regular dental checkups, a dentist can keep your smile shiny and clean.
Ultimately, the color of your teeth says a lot about you. Discover what else you can learn from it by seeing your local dentist.
About the Author
Dr. Richard Fossum is based in Temple, TX, having earned his DDS from the UTHealth School of Dentistry. He’s also a member of the American Dental Association and the Texas Dental Association. Given this background, his expertise includes preventive, cosmetic, and restorative work, as well as emergency oral care. Today, Dr. Fossum practices at his self-titled clinic and is reachable on his website and by phone at (254)-778-3900.