We’ve helped a lot of people get whiter teeth here at Cosmetic Dental Associates, and there’s one question they all want answered: how do teeth turn yellowish/brownish to begin with? Sure, there are certain foods, like candy, that we all know to avoid as much as possible. But there’s a lot more to teeth discoloration than just chocolate and gummy bears.
As we age, our teeth tend to darken. It isn’t a direct result of aging, but rather one of the normal wear-and-tear that occurs over one’s life. That’s why teenagers see an immediate and dramatic effect from teeth whitening, while those in their 20s, 30s and so on require more work before they see the results they’re hoping for. It’s still possible to get whiter teeth by paying a visit to our San Antonio Cosmetic Dentistry and General Dentistry office, but older patients have more stubborn stains that take more work to clean up.
Genetics also plays a role in the color of your teeth. All teeth have some level of translucency, but those that are naturally more dense have an advantage over thinner, clearer chompers. Front teeth in particular have less of the pigment that is needed for bleaching.
The starting color of your teeth plays into the equation as well. Everyone’s teeth have a natural color of either yellow-brown or greenish-gray. It’s true; beneath even the pearliest of whites is a much darker shade. Yellow-brown shades tend to be easier to whiten than green-gray ones, so more work will be required if you fall into the latter category.
The environmental factors working against many of us underscore the importance of avoiding sugary drinks, smoking and candy in order to keep your smile looking fantastic.