The color of the teeth does not depend, as one might often think, on the enamel but on the dentin. This is a calcified tissue which. It is responsible for the coloring of each tooth, which is also determined by genetics, just like the color of the eyes or the hair. The color of the dentin, a layer located just under the enamel, which has no color but is translucent, varies in shades ranging from yellow to gray. A healthy individual will have particularly white teeth during childhood: in fact, children's deciduous teeth are the whitest teeth. However, they are replaced by permanent teeth which tend to change color towards yellow or a darker coloration. This appears over time because the enamel becomes thinner and the color of the dentin appears. The color of the teeth can be determined by a color scale which includes all possible natural colors of the teeth and subdivides them by shade and intensity.  That is why it is best to consult a professional such as Mountain View Dental who can give you the best advice. 

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External causes of stains on teeth

Despite careful oral cleaning, complete care of teeth and gums with the right tools, it often happens that stains appear. The reason for this phenomenon is very simple. As mentioned above, dentin (the part that coats the tooth just below the enamel) is responsible for the color. Enamel, meanwhile, being porous, certain substances can attach themselves to it, causing the appearance of external (or extrinsic) colorations, i.e. on the surface of the tooth. The substances responsible for the appearance of these spots are linked both to our diet but also to our way of life. Here are some examples:

- Tea

- Coffee

- The Red wine

- Licorice

- Cigarette

- Drug treatments

In these cases, the use of anti-coloring products in brushing or in mouthwash, even a thorough cleaning carried out by a dentist can be very useful. Note that some drugs cause spots which are temporary: stopping taking the drug will make them disappear naturally. Nevertheless, there are drugs responsible for an irreversible change in the color of the teeth; they usually contain fluorine, ciprofloxacin and tetracyclines. In some cases, the change in color of the teeth or the appearance of stains also derive from targeted therapies to treat the teeth against the formation of cavities for example. Another example, after a trauma or after a devitalization, the color of the teeth can darken; it depends on the blood pigments or the portions of tissue that are left after the surgery. In these cases, tooth whitening will be necessary.

How to have white teeth and what oral cleaning to do

Everyone's dream is to have a bright and confident smile: this means pink gums, neat and shiny teeth and perfect breath. There are many ways to achieve these results, but they go through an essential: a complete oral cleaning on a daily basis. In addition to brushing your teeth, using an interdental brush or dental floss, special attention should also be paid to the choice of toothpaste and mouthwash. What is essential in choosing these solutions is that they do not damage your tooth enamel. It is better to choose toothpastes that do not contain aggressive whitening agents or strong abrasive agents that could deteriorate the condition of the enamel.