A tooth consists of 3 basic parts, but the color depends only on 2 of them. Enamel is the outer layer. Since it’s translucent, the middle layer, dentin, can be seen through it. Good oral hygiene and the right choice of food and drinks will help slow down the natural wear of enamel.

Dentin color is very important because it determines the natural color of your teeth. Milk teeth appear white because they have a thin layer of light yellow dentin. But alas, permanent teeth have a thicker dentin layer with a deeper yellow tint.

If you want to whiten your teeth, your dentist will ask you to use a shade guide. It has 4 rows of colors called A—D and includes the following shades:

Reddish-brown (A)
Reddish-yellow (B)
Gray ©
Reddish-gray (D)

There are many ways to whiten teeth: daily brushing and polishing, over-the-counter gels that can be used at home, clinical laser whitening procedures, and veneers. You should always consult your dentist before starting any whitening procedure, including those done at home. Sometimes at-home procedures may result in unnecessary damage to tooth enamel, encourage decay, or make teeth appear translucent or pearlescent.

To determine how white your teeth should be, look at the whites of your eyes. The tooth enamel shouldn’t be whiter than that.

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