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The Enamel Color Mystery: Why Do Some People's Teeth Look Whiter?
When we talk about the aesthetics of teeth, the topic of "white" almost always dominates. However, have you ever wondered why some people's teeth look extra white while others appear a little yellow or gray? In fact, the color of teeth is related to many factors, the most critical of which is the composition of enamel and its transparency.
Enamel is the hardest tissue in the human body and is mainly composed of 96% minerals (mainly hydroxyapatite), which provides its strength and brittleness.
The color of enamel is not only determined by its own color, but also closely related to its thickness and the underlying dentin. Typically, enamel is thickest at the tip of the tooth, which can reach 2.5 mm, and thinnest at the joint with the root of the tooth. When enamel thins, the color of the underlying dentin will show through the enamel, which is why some teeth appear more yellow.
In addition, the transparency of the enamel itself will also affect its color. When enamel is thin and clear, the yellow color of dentin will show through, causing teeth to appear yellower. Thicker, opaque enamel effectively covers the underlying dentin, making teeth appear whiter.
"The transparency of enamel is affected by the degree of crystallization and mineralization. No one wants the color of their teeth to be discovered at a critical moment."
We all know that developing good oral hygiene habits is the basis for maintaining dental health. However, some people still have significantly different teeth whiteness even though their diet and habits are not significantly different. The reason behind this may be genetic. Some people's genes may promote the development and maintenance of enamel, making their teeth appear whiter.
In addition to the natural factors mentioned above, lifestyle and dietary habits also play an important role. The intake of sugar and acidic foods can cause decalcification and corrosion of enamel, which to some extent can cause the teeth to turn yellow. Acidic ingredients in beverages, such as soft drinks and juices, speed up this process, so healthy eating habits and moderate water intake, along with regular dental checkups, are crucial to protecting the health of your enamel.
"Oral health and maintenance of tooth color are the rights that everyone should have control over."
Scientific research shows that the use of fluoride is still an effective way to protect enamel, promoting the remineralization process and restoring some strength to damaged enamel. In many countries, the addition of fluoride to public water sources is also considered one of the important measures to reduce the incidence of tooth decay.
After understanding the color and health of enamel, we might as well think about what we can do to keep our teeth healthy and white in the future?
