You can have sound reasons for wanting a mouthful of shining white teeth. If nothing else, it's a considerable social advantage. Still, it's wise to research teeth whitening treatments before proceeding further. After all, you only get one set of adult teeth. That means you want to do your best to protect them while considering how to improve their appearance. Luckily, specialists can do much to give you the right expectations for teeth whitening treatments.

There Isn't a Single Natural Teeth Color

For starters, white isn't the universal natural color for teeth. There's no such thing because different people are born with different-colored teeth. Colgate says the possible colors are often sorted into four rough categories — reddish brown, reddish gray, gray, and reddish gray — for convenience. It's telling that white isn't counted among the four. Instead, these categories can look white or off-white towards the lighter end of things. Unfortunately, they can also look much more colorful than that. There's no way for you to change the natural color of your teeth. That means there are limits to how much teeth whitening treatments can help because they only target the outermost layer.

You Might Be Able to Whiten Your Teeth Anyways

Still, you might be able to whiten your teeth anyway. By default, the appearance of your teeth is determined by the interactions between the enamel, the dentin, and the pulp. For instance, some people have yellow-colored teeth because they have thin enamel that shows the yellow-colored dentin lying underneath. However, your habits and experiences can do much to change the natural color of your teeth. For example, what you eat and drink can change the look of your enamel and dentin. Similarly, Healthline points out that smoking leaves behind yellowish stains on your teeth. It's even possible for trauma to burst the blood vessels leading to the teeth, thus causing them to darken when their internals die from lack of supply.

Consult a Specialist So You Can Make a Fully-Informed Decision

Ultimately, you should consult a specialist to see what's possible for your teeth. You can get an accurate assessment of the condition of your teeth. Afterward, you can ask for a teeth whitening treatment and other dental care you deem worthwhile based on a complete understanding of the situation. The whitening won't last forever. Still, it can last long enough for you to decide that you're willing to go for it. 

For more info about teeth whitening, contact a local company.