Over the years, white teeth, much like lighter skin, has been associated with both health and wealth. And why shouldn’t it?Celebrities, models, socialites, have pearly whites.And toothpaste commercials always saythat brushing your teeth regularly helps you get whiter teeth.
On the other hand, some experts believe that whiter does not always mean healthier? Yes, it looks prettier, but that doesn’t mean that having a brighter smile means your teeth are stronger than the next person—in fact, it could mean the opposite.
So what’s the real score?
“Well, it really depends on the reason for the teeth color”, explains Dr. Edward Beduya. “Healthy teeth are white, but not all white teeth are healthy. The outer cover of the teeth, the enamel, is naturally white. Typically, as long as the enamel remains intact—in other words, healthy—the teeth stays white. But this does not mean that a discolored tooth is unhealthier compared to a whiter tooth. Again, it all boils down to the reason for the change in color.”
According to Dr. Beduya, there are four general reasons for teeth discoloration: intrinsic, extrinsic, age-related and genetic. Intrinsic discoloration is essentially what happens when the layer beneath the enamel, the dentin, darkens due to exposure to fluoride and other elements. As its name suggest, this darkening happens from inside the enamel. On the other hand, extrinsic discoloration is caused by food and other substances that essentially stain the teeth, like coffee, tea and acidic beverages.
Then there’s the age-related discoloration. This one does not need a lot of explanation. Normally, as you age, your teeth, much like any other part of your body, will undergo the process of decay (believe us, blatant is the best way to put this).
“Let’s also never forget about genes. There are people who are born with a couple of number of teeth that have a more yellow tone compared to the rest of their teeth. There are also somewho are just predisposed to having darker teeth due to their lifestyle. But it does not automatically mean that their teeth are inferior or weaker when compared against a person with a perfect set of pearly whites, especially if the latter has undergone countless procedures or has used a lot of products to help whiten his teeth. What we need to understand is that not all teeth whitening products or services are healthy. Yes, they may remove or in some cases cover the stains and help improve the appearance of your smile, but they may also damage your teeth,” Dr. Beduya adds.
So what’s a good teeth whitening solution?
Dr. Beduya says, “For the best and safest results, going to a professional is still the best option. And professionals usually recommend getting Laser Teeth Whitening. It’s a professional procedure that essentially uses bleach and laser to remove stains on the surface of the teeth. Under experienced hands, laser teeth whitening may deliver tremendous results while keeping the health of your teeth intact.”
Dr. Edward Beduya is a seasoned dentist and TMJ-specialist and aesthetic dentist whose roster of clients include celebrities, businessmen, models and politicians. Visit him to know how you can take advantage of his expertise and enjoy the confidence of having beautiful, healthy teeth. Call (02) 354-5388 to book an appointment. Beduya Dental Clinic is located at Unit 110 Pacific Regency, 760 Ocampo St, Malate, Manila, 1004.
