What the colour of your TEETH says about you, according to science
But whether it's a yellow stain, brown spots or chalky white patches, our teeth are rarely perfect.
Instead of just being unsightly, these could be early warning signs of decay or indicate wider health issues, an expert has warned.
In fact, keeping an eye on your teeth can help prevent life–threatening conditions.
'Your teeth can reveal early warning signs if you know what to look for,' Allen Zhang, a dental technologist and founder of ProDENT, said.
'Simple tools like dental intraoral cameras make it easier to spot colour changes before they develop into serious problems.
'Checking your teeth regularly could save you from bigger health issues later.'
So, do you recognise any of these issues?
While yellow stains are commonly caused by drinking too much tea or coffee, they could also point to liver disease, according to Mr Zhang.
When the liver isn't working correctly, it can lead to a build–up of levels of bilirubin – the yellow pigment in bile – in the body.
A dull, grey shade, meanwhile, can indicate a tooth has 'died' from previous trauma.
It's also linked to systemic conditions like celiac disease, which can disrupt the formation of enamel and cause discolouration.
Tooth defects from celiac disease are permanent, dentists say, but they may use bonding, veneers or other cosmetic solutions to cover defects in older children and adults.
Brown spots on your teeth – apart from being unsightly – can also be early warning signs of tooth decay, Mr Zhang said.
Brown streaks, however, can be cause by severe fluorosis – a condition caused by excessive fluoride intake during tooth development.
A major cause of fluorosis is the inappropriate used of fluoride–containing dental products such as toothpaste and mouth rinses. Sometimes, children enjoy the taste of fluoridated toothpaste so much that they swallow it instead of spitting it out.
Other issues that can be traced back to childhood are stripes of blue or grey in the teeth, which can be attributed to antibiotics taken as a youngster.
These medications embed deep into developing teeth, Mr Zhang said.
While most people want their teeth to be as white as possible, chalky white spots can mark early decay.
These can also signal enamel defects tied to celiac disease.
'Dark black discolouration, meanwhile, can mean advanced decay or dead pulp tissue,' Mr Zhang said.
'In rare cases, it's linked to heavy metal exposure.'
Finally mottled enamel – which looks like uneven, patchy discolouration, may point o genetic disorders such as amelogenesis imperfecta.
These conditions weaken enamel and make teeth prone to damage.
'Your teeth can reveal what your body hasn't told you yet,' Mr Zhang added.
'Spotting discoloration early with the right tools is one of the simplest ways to protect your long–term health.'
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 3.7 billion people worldwide suffer from oral diseases.
In some cases, untreated tooth decay can lead to abscesses, tooth loss or even life–threatening infections.
ARE TRENDY WAYS OF CLEANING YOUR TEETH EFFECTIVE, OR DANGEROUS?
Top dentists reveal how trendy fads can wreak havoc with people's teeth.
Despite the likes of Gisele Bündchen and the Hemsley sisters swearing by starting every morning with a refreshing glass of hot water and lemon, Dr Ben Atkins, a dentist based in Manchester and Trustee of the Oral Health Foundation, warns the drink effectively dissolves teeth and could even make them darker.
While critics link fluoride to everything from dementia to diabetes, experts argue numerous studies show the mineral does not harm people's health, with free-from varieties missing out on 'the main protective ingredient'.
Dr Atkins also describes the ancient Ayurvedic practice of oil pulling, which involves swishing coconut oil around the mouth, as a 'waste of time', with Dr Rhona Eskander, Best Young Dentist Winner 2016, adding it will not give you a Hollywood smile.
In terms of brushing your teeth with charcoal or apple cider vinegar, both Dr Atkins and Dr Eskander add the 'natural remedies' could do more harm than good as while their acidic, abrasive consistencies may remove surface stains, they could also permanently damage enamel.
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