Are teeth supposed to be white?

A question I hear a lot:   Are teeth supposed to be white?

Short answer – kinda.

Long answer – Well, enamel is on the surface of every tooth and it has a natural hue of white. However, the underlying dentin layer has a slightly yellowish color. This yellowish hue shows through the enamel in almost everyone, but more so for those with naturally thinner or more translucent enamel.

Is it bad if my teeth aren’t white? —> No, not at all!

So, what is a healthy color for teeth? 

A light-yellow color indicates a strong healthy smile. The natural color of your dentin, the layer of tiny tubules that lies beneath your enamel and connects to the dental nerve in each tooth, is yellow.

Just as white teeth aren’t necessarily healthy, off-color teeth aren’t necessarily bad either. It is important to note that teeth should be healthy rather than excessively white. The shade of your teeth does not necessarily indicate their health. In fact, attempting to achieve extremely bright white teeth through aggressive whitening methods can sometimes damage the enamel and lead to tooth sensitivity.

The natural color of your teeth is determined by several factors, including genetics, your age, enamel thickness, and lifestyle habits. Maintaining good oral hygiene practices, such as regular brushing, flossing, and oil pulling can help prevent the build-up of plaque and stains on teeth.

To sum it all up, teeth come in a range of natural shades, and what is considered “normal” or healthy can vary from person to person. While some individuals may naturally have whiter teeth, others may have slightly off-white or yellowish hues. And above all else, teeth should be healthy rather than excessively white.

Oh by the way, if you’re interested in the oral hygiene products I love and use daily, check them out here! They are by far the best oral health products I’ve ever used!

-Jess

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