{"id":456,"date":"2021-07-14T17:45:00","date_gmt":"2021-07-14T17:45:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.flennikendental.com\/blog\/?p=456"},"modified":"2021-08-09T17:53:32","modified_gmt":"2021-08-09T17:53:32","slug":"why-white-teeth-doesnt-mean-healthy-teeth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.flennikendental.com\/blog\/why-white-teeth-doesnt-mean-healthy-teeth\/","title":{"rendered":"A Whiter Smile Doesn\u2019t Always Mean a Healthier Smile \u2013 Here\u2019s Why"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignleft size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.flennikendental.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/AdobeStock_118631093__1628531401_63818.jpg\" alt=\"closeup of white teeth\" class=\"wp-image-457\" width=\"283\" height=\"189\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.flennikendental.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/AdobeStock_118631093__1628531401_63818.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.flennikendental.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/AdobeStock_118631093__1628531401_63818-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.flennikendental.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/AdobeStock_118631093__1628531401_63818-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 283px) 100vw, 283px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The desire for a radiant smile has become widespread in recent years. Numerous teeth whitening kits can be found in stores, promising bright results that help people feel happier and more confident. However, while white teeth may certainly <em>look<\/em> great, it doesn\u2019t necessarily mean that they\u2019re healthy. Here\u2019s what you should know about having brilliant pearly whites.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--more-->\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Does a Healthy Smile Look Like?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Contrary to popular belief, a white smile does <em>not<\/em> indicate a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flennikendental.com\/preventive-dentistry.html\">healthy smile<\/a>. Natural teeth can have a shade that ranges from yellow to white and be completely healthy. The color is affected by many different factors, including genetics, diet, age, and oral care. Although, aging is one of the main culprits behind yellowing teeth. Over time, your enamel gets thinner and makes the dentin underneath more apparent. And after years of drinking coffee and tea, your teeth develop stains. In short, just because your grin is darker doesn\u2019t mean it\u2019s unhealthy!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How Whitening Products Can Damage Your Smile<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s no secret that certain over-the-counter whitening products can harm your smile. The ingredients can cause permanent damage to your teeth by eating away at the enamel, making you more susceptible to bacteria and increasing your risk of cavities. And if you have a cracked tooth or cavity before whitening, the chemicals can go deeper than intended and cause significant discomfort. Most people report experiencing increased sensitivity and gum irritation as a side effect of OTC whitening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Tips for Maintaining a Bright, Healthy Smile<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Luckily, there are many safe, natural ways to achieve a brighter smile and prevent further staining.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Be conscious of the foods and drinks you consume. <\/strong>Try to avoid foods and drinks that are well-known for staining teeth, such as red wine, coffee, and tea. Instead, opt for apples and celery! They\u2019re some of the best foods that help keep your teeth clean.<\/li><li><strong>Maintain good oral hygiene. <\/strong>Residual foods, drinks, and bacteria can cause staining. Brushing at least twice a day, rinsing after every meal, cleaning your tongue, and flossing once a day are essential practices that help eliminate them.<\/li><li><strong>Consult with your dentist. <\/strong>Do you have your heart set on teeth whitening? Ask your dentist about professional treatment. Most dental offices offer whitening procedures that are stronger and more rigorously tested for safety and effectiveness.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Don\u2019t be alarmed if your pearly whites aren\u2019t all that white, as healthy teeth are usually off-white or even slightly yellowed. If you\u2019re interested in brightening your smile, always consult with your dentist for proper treatment \u2013 your oral health will thank you!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>About the Practice<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At Flenniken Family Dentistry, we have the skills, techniques, and technologies to help every patient achieve and maintain their most beautiful smile. Our team provides high-quality dental care that\u2019s beyond what\u2019s anywhere else. To keep your grin looking and feeling its absolute best, visit our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flennikendental.com\/request-an-appointment.html\">website<\/a> or call <strong>(717) 249-7777<\/strong> to schedule a checkup.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The desire for a radiant smile has become widespread in recent years. Numerous teeth whitening kits can be found in stores, promising bright results that help people feel happier and more confident. However, while white teeth may certainly look great, it doesn\u2019t necessarily mean that they\u2019re healthy. Here\u2019s what you should know about having brilliant [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-456","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v22.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Why White Teeth Doesn&#039;t Mean Healthy Teeth | Flenniken Family Dentistry<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"White teeth may look great, but that doesn\u2019t necessarily mean they\u2019re healthy teeth. Here\u2019s what you should know about the color of your smile.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flennikendental.com\/blog\/why-white-teeth-doesnt-mean-healthy-teeth\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Why White Teeth Doesn&#039;t Mean Healthy Teeth | Flenniken Family Dentistry\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"White teeth may look great, but that doesn\u2019t necessarily mean they\u2019re healthy teeth. Here\u2019s what you should know about the color of your smile.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.flennikendental.com\/blog\/why-white-teeth-doesnt-mean-healthy-teeth\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Flenniken Dental Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2021-07-14T17:45:00+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2021-08-09T17:53:32+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.flennikendental.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/AdobeStock_118631093__1628531401_63818.jpg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"drflenniken\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"drflenniken\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"2 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.flennikendental.com\/blog\/why-white-teeth-doesnt-mean-healthy-teeth\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.flennikendental.com\/blog\/why-white-teeth-doesnt-mean-healthy-teeth\/\",\"name\":\"Why White Teeth Doesn't Mean Healthy Teeth | Flenniken Family Dentistry\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.flennikendental.com\/blog\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.flennikendental.com\/blog\/why-white-teeth-doesnt-mean-healthy-teeth\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.flennikendental.com\/blog\/why-white-teeth-doesnt-mean-healthy-teeth\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.flennikendental.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/AdobeStock_118631093__1628531401_63818.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2021-07-14T17:45:00+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2021-08-09T17:53:32+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.flennikendental.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/7ec607558e385c4dbd98d7be750f8d62\"},\"description\":\"White teeth may look great, but that doesn\u2019t necessarily mean they\u2019re healthy teeth. 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