Colors You Should Wear to Make Your Teeth Look Whiter
Like most people, my teeth aren’t perfectly white, but most of the time I don’t notice it. Occasionally, however, whatever I’m wearing makes it glaringly obvious to me, and I wonder how I can make them seem whiter without weeks of treatments. To help with this, I decided to research what colors make teeth appear whiter.
So, what colors should you wear to make your teeth look whiter? You should wear cool colors, like blue, green, and purple, or colors with blue undertones. These colors help to cancel out the yellow in your teeth, making them look whiter.
There are a few ways you can incorporate these colors into your outfit to help your smile sparkle.
Colors That Make Your Teeth Look Whiter
You’ve probably heard that everyone has a color palette that looks best with their skin tone, eye color, and hair color. This is because colors interact with each other and can either clash or complement each other and this is the same way for teeth as well. While the right colors can help teeth can look brighter and whiter, the wrong colors can make your teeth look even more yellow if you’re not careful. The best way to avoid this is to wear colors that will help cancel out the yellow in your teeth.
If you look at very white teeth, you may notice that they often have blue undertones. Dingy teeth, on the other hand, usually have yellow undertones. To make your teeth look whiter, you want to find colors that have blue undertones to help cancel out the yellow and draw attention to the bluish-white that is there. Some of the best colors to achieve this are cool colors, like blue, green, and purple. Colors with blue undertones such as cool pinks, reds, and grays will also create this effect.
Wearing clothing in these colors is one of the best ways to brighten your teeth, but accessories such as scarves and hats can make a big impact as well. The item with perhaps the biggest impact on how white your teeth appear, however, is makeup, and especially lipstick.
When you choose a bold red lip color, you may notice that it either makes your teeth look horribly yellow or brilliantly white. This is because red lipstick either has blue or yellow undertones, and it makes a big difference in how your teeth appear. To make your teeth look whiter when wearing red lipstick, choose a color with blue undertones, and the same goes for when you’re choosing pink or purple lipstick as well. This doesn’t mean warm lip colors look bad, but if your teeth are feeling especially dingy one day, you’ll know to reach for your cool-toned lipstick.
It may take some trial and error to figure out which colors make your teeth look brightest, but if you lean toward cool colors and keep trying, you’ll eventually find the palette that makes your smile sparkle.
Other Tips for Making Your Teeth Look Whiter
While wearing the right colors is a great way to help your teeth look whiter, there are other things you can do as well. If you wear makeup, try drawing attention away from your mouth by choosing a more neutral lip color and a bolder eye. Flashy earrings can also help with this.
Brushing your teeth before you head out to an event will help get rid of some of the day’s grime and staining, and it will freshen your breath and help you feel more confident. Just be sure you don’t brush more than twice a day very often, as this will wear down your enamel and cause even more staining. To take this a step further, you can try using blue-based whitening toothpaste. These kinds of toothpaste are made to help cancel out the yellow in your teeth and leave them looking brighter. You can also use a whitening mouthwash and chew tooth-whitening gum to help keep your teeth looking their best.
To keep your teeth from staining in the first place, you should avoid foods and drinks that will stain your teeth, such as coffee, tea, and red wine. If you do consume these items, consider using a straw and be sure to brush your teeth soon after to avoid staining. Finally, if you smoke cigarettes, quitting is one of the best things you can do for your teeth (and your health). Smoking not only stains your teeth but also increases your risk of gum disease, which can lead to tooth loss.
What Not to Do to Make Your Teeth Look Whiter
If you spend much time on the internet, you’ll probably notice that there is no shortage of homemade remedies that promise you whiter teeth. Unfortunately, many of these remedies are ineffective and can even damage your teeth.
Avoid any remedy that involves harsh acid such as lemon juice or vinegar. These can erode your enamel and make your teeth more susceptible to staining. Even rubbing strawberries on your teeth can be too harsh for some people.
If you’re going to use a whitening product, be sure to choose one that is gentle, designed for use on teeth, and dentist-approved.
You should also avoid any physical objects that could scratch or damage your teeth, such as toothbrushes with hard bristles, baking soda, and salt.
Even overbrushing or pushing too hard with your toothbrush can wear down your enamel, which will result in more staining.
Making Your Teeth Look Whiter In the Long Run
Achieving whiter teeth is a marathon, not a sprint, and there are a few steps you can take to help you reach and maintain your goal of sparkly white teeth.
1. Regular Cleaning
Be sure to brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss once a day. This will help remove plaque and bacteria that can cause staining. You should also visit your dentist for regular cleanings.
2. Healthy Habits
Eating a healthy diet, drinking plenty of water, and avoiding foods and drinks that can stain your teeth is important for keeping your smile looking its best. You should also quit smoking if you smoke cigarettes.
3. Teeth Whitening Products
Over-the-counter teeth whitening kits can be effective, but be sure to choose one that is gentle and designed for use on teeth.
4. Professional Whitening Treatments
If you want to achieve the brightest smile possible, you can talk to your dentist about in-office teeth whitening treatments. These treatments are much stronger than over-the-counter kits and can give you dramatic results in just one visit.
The best defense is a good offense, and this is especially true when it comes to your teeth. By taking preventive measures and being proactive about your oral health, you can help keep your teeth looking their best for years to come.
Setting Reasonable Goals for White Teeth
While there’s nothing wrong with trying to brighten up your smile, remember that teeth aren’t meant to be perfectly white. In fact, most people’s teeth have a slight yellow tint. If your teeth are healthy and you’re happy with their color, there’s no need to try to change them. However, if you’re not happy with the color of your teeth, talk to your dentist about your options. As there are a number of factors that can affect the color of your teeth, such as age, diet, smoking habits, and the use of certain medications. If your teeth are yellow due to aging, there’s not much you can do to change their color.
However, if your teeth are yellow due to staining from food, drink, or smoking, you may be able to brighten them with teeth whitening products or treatments. Your dentist can help you choose the best option for you depending on the cause of the staining and your desired results. If you do choose this route, it will likely take a series of treatments to obtain the shade of white you’re hoping for and then regular treatments to maintain it. However, many people find this worth it, as professional whitening can do a lot to boost your self-confidence in your smile.
Related Questions
Why does tooth enamel stain?
While tooth enamel is hard, there is a film of protein on the outside of it that is susceptible to pigmented residue from food and beverages. Once this residue stains the protein film, it is difficult to remove with just a toothbrush.
What are the two types of tooth staining?
There are two types of tooth staining: extrinsic and intrinsic. Extrinsic staining occurs on the surface of the teeth and is typically caused by food, drink, or smoking. Intrinsic staining occurs below the surface of the teeth and is usually caused by medications or aging. Extrinsic staining can usually be removed, but intrinsic is more permanent.
Will my teeth ever be perfectly white?
Teeth are not meant to be perfectly white. In fact, most people’s teeth have a slight yellow tint. Don’t toothpaste commercials dictate your opinion about your smile: It’s beautiful whether your teeth are brilliantly white or not.
