• Question: Why is are teeth white

    Asked by issi2001 to Anil, Blanka, Cees, Emma, Mike on 2 Jul 2012.
    • Photo: Emma Trantham

      Emma Trantham answered on 2 Jul 2012:


      Teeth are white because some of the material that makes them up is calcified (has calcium combined with it) and calcified stuff looks white(ish).

      The outside layer of the teeth is made up of something called cementum – this is a yellowy-white colour. but it is also slightly see through so the colour of the dentine layer underneath also plays a part. (The pulp cavity at the centre of the tooth probably doesnt really affect the colour of the tooth unless it is diseased/dead)

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