Have you ever seen those crime shows where detectives use bite marks or tooth impressions to help find somebody? As it turns out, that’s a real thing; your teeth are so unique that they can be used like a fingerprint to identify you.
However, it isn’t just your bite pattern that’s telling. In fact, the color of your teeth can be indicative of quite a few things, from your age to your diet. If you’re curious, here’s what the color of your teeth has to say about you.
White
Perfectly white teeth are what most people want for themselves, but actually having them can mean a few different things.
For one, white teeth are much more common the younger you are, with babies’ teeth tending to be the whitest. Young teeth are more calcified, and they haven’t collected stains from food or drinks yet. Their dentin (the layer of the tooth directly under the enamel) is also incredibly white, which changes naturally with age.
Perfectly white teeth could also be a sign that you use whitening toothpaste or have had professional whitening done, which has to be accompanied by a diet free of staining foods.
Light Yellow or Light Gray
As you age into adulthood, your teeth will naturally get darker. That dentin from before starts to turn brown and grows in size, which naturally affects how your teeth look from the outside. Even well-maintained teeth usually aren’t tissue-white past a certain age unless, of course, you get a professional whitening treatment.
Yellow
Everyone’s natural enamel is different, so it’s possible that someone with yellow teeth developed them due to genetics. However, it’s much more likely that you’ve seen your teeth become yellow as a result of your diet. Coffee, tea, red wine, and dark sauces can all cause your teeth to yellow over time, especially if you aren’t brushing after you partake in them.
Brown
When yellow stains get especially bad, they can start to appear brown. This can be due to the common culprits listed above, but usually, stains get to this point because of smoking or chewing tobacco.
If you just have a few brown spots on your teeth, it may be a sign that your enamel has eroded to such an extent that the dentin has started to peek through. It’s worth bringing this up with your dentist, who can recommend options to help fortify your enamel.
As you can see, your teeth speak volumes about you. That’s all the more reason to brush and floss daily, to ensure that you make the best impression possible.
About the Author
Dr. James Kramer has over 30 years of experience in his field, and in that time he has accumulated a wealth of clinical expertise. Nothing makes him happier than sharing his expertise with his patients. Dr. Kramer graduated with honors as a Doctor of Dental Medicine from the Temple University School of Dentistry. He’s also a Master in the Academy of General Dentistry, an honor achieved by less than 7% of dentists across the U.S.
If you have any questions about tooth color, he can be reached at his website or by phone at (302) 436-5133.