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Are Whiter Teeth Healthier? Not Necessarily – Here’s What You Need To Know

In recent years, a number of tooth whitening solutions have hit the market, promising a brighter, whiter smile. And although people generally believe that a whiter smile indicates healthier teeth, that’s a concept they learned from advertising – not dentists. If you have concerns about whether your teeth are the ‘right’ color, you’ll want to talk with a dentist to determine where your teeth sit on the standard color range. So does discoloration indicate a problem with your teeth? Not always. Here’s what you should know.

Healthy Teeth Have a Slightly Yellowed Appearance

In spite of our obsession with whiter teeth, most healthy teeth tend to have a light yellow hue. The outer layer of your teeth – the enamel – is a blue-white color. The middle layer – the dentin – is a thick tissue with a slightly yellow tinge. That means if you have a dense layer of dentin and sufficient enamel – which is good – your teeth should be off-white with a slightly yellowed appearance.

Getting Older? Darkening Teeth Are a Natural Part of the Aging Process

People change as they get older. They get wrinkles, their hair turns grey, and, over time, their teeth start to get darker. Even those of us who brush and floss twice a day without fail will start to see our teeth change over time. The more you age, the thicker and darker your dentin becomes. Your tooth enamel also gets thinner as you age, which makes the dentin more apparent. And after years of drinking coffee and tea, smoking, or simply eating food, your teeth develop stains. In some cases, genetics may play a role – if your parents or grandparents had yellow teeth in their old age, chances are you will, too.

All of this is a completely normal part of aging. Although your teeth are darker, that doesn’t by any means indicate that they’re less healthy. It’s simply another means of counting and measuring your life experience.

Black, Brown, or Green Stains Can Indicate a Problem

Although a yellow or darkening appearance isn’t necessarily indicative of a problem, there are some kinds of discoloration that will warrant a trip to the dentist’s office. If your teeth are darker than a light yellow color, it could be a result of heavy smoking, which can cause a variety of oral health issues. Some diseases, like fluorosis, can change the color of your enamel or dentin. Green or orange stains can indicate a buildup of bacteria or fungi – a thorough dental cleaning can usually treat this kind of discoloration. If you notice red, black or brown stains on your teeth, it may be a symptom of porphyria, a rare but manageable genetic disorder that affects the blood. Porphyria has no cure, but the disease is usually manageable with proper treatment.

If your pearly whites aren’t all that white, it’s not necessarily cause for alarm. Healthy teeth are usually off-white or slightly yellowed, and teeth naturally darken over time. But if you notice brown, black, or green stains on your teeth, you may have a chronic condition or need a thorough dental cleaning. Your local dentist can help you to understand what’s causing your discoloration and help you to find a treatment plan. Call Badie Dental at (520) 325-3022 to book a consultation with Dr. Badie.

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A gifted and compassionate dentist providing a comprehensive range of preventive, restorative, and cosmetic treatments.

Committed on providing high-quality, patient-focused care to help all patients of all ages from children to senior citizens protect their teeth, gums, and overall oral health.

 

Dr. Badie was born and raised abroad but moved to the United States when he was just 19 years old to attend college and earn his dental degree. Dr. Badie completed his undergraduate degree in biology at a California State University before receiving his doctor of dental surgery (DDS) degree at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska.

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Sharp Barnes
5/5
1 year ago
Well trained staff! It’s always a warm welcome when visiting Dr. Badie. The patients satisfaction is truly a priority here. 10/10 I would recommend.
Shelly Jones
5/5
1 year ago
I am extremely petrified of dentists. Dr Badie was so patient with me, even when I was being a very hard patient. He gave me something to help with my anxiety. I had 8 teeth pulled at once. No pain whatsoever. Even the next day. No swelling, no pain. Even though I will still be scared every appointment, I know he can be trusted to be patient and gentle every step of the way.
Kelly Ann
5/5
1 year ago
I am so so excited to get my teeth fixed this is the best dentist office in Tucson hands down there so nice, not judgemental, And do spectacular work. Rachel is so amazing and so awesome she has been nothing but helpful and a delight to deal with. Everything about this experience getting my teeth fixed so far has been perfect now that I found this dentist office. While Most of the other places I had gone were unwilling to actually help me and were very judge mental of me because of my situation and needing to get my entire mouth restored after using drugs for 20 years, even after getting clean and saving up money I was still treated with such disrespect it was like disgusting and I am so grateful for Rachel and Dr. Badie & their team For being so compassionate and professional and fur doing all that they can to help me thank you guys so much you’re so amazing I hope that other people find & choose you so that you can help them too! I will forever be grateful to you guys And I’m so blessed to have found you thank you
Jennifer Perkins
5/5
2 years ago
I have been going to Dr Badie for about 3+ years for my cleaning. All his staff are AWESOME! Everyone is so nice and professional. I had my cleaning and filling done, and it was painless. Thank you all for making my teeth beautiful as always!
Richard Nordenberg
5/5
2 years ago
I’ve had a few good Dentists over many years but Dr. Badie’s office is by far the best and most pleasant to visit. Hard decisions are easier to make with their advice and council that can be trusted. He and his entire staff could not be better trained and professional in their work and office manner. It may sound a bit much but this is true, both my wife and I look forward to our appointments as the pleasant experiences they are. There should be 6 stars….Make that 7!
larissa bos
5/5
2 years ago
I received excellent dental care from Dr. Badie and his very friendly and efficient assistant Diane. Dr. Badie is very competent, detailed, compassionate, and thoroughly explains recommended treatment. His staff made me feel comfortable and welcome. Wonderful experience, highly recommended!
Irene Meza
5/5
2 years ago
I can’t say enough about Dr. Badie and his team. Samantha is the first person to see when you walk in the door, she’s warm and very comforting. She explains everything you need to know regarding your insurance and also the procedures. Angelica is the lead assistant she’s kept me informed as to what will be done as far as the procedure during my dental appointment. She was also very comforting and knowledgeable. Dr. Badie made me feel extremely at ease. I’ve never been to a dentist office where everyone made me feel so welcome and comfortable. Going to the dentist is definitely not somewhere you want to go but with Dr Badie he made all my worries go away. My teeth need a lot of work and he assured me he can make my teeth look amazing again. There’s no words to describe how blessed I am to be seen by Dr. Badie. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!!! I would definitely recommend this place!! 💓
Sabastian Rodriguez
5/5
2 years ago
Today I went in for my first check up.The whole staff was amazing. Dentist Badie really does care. He took his time with me to develop a plan with my teeth. I felt such a relief when he said that my teeth can be saved. Now myself I do not have insurance but the way they broke everything down made it super affordable for me. This place Is definitely worth it.

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