Chalky Teeth

Chalky Teeth is a colloquialism used to describe teeth that are abnormal in some way. The term usually refers to tooth enamel that is visibly different in colour, consistency or shape. Hence, by analogy to blackboard chalk, "chalky enamel" is discoloured, opaque, soft, porous and prone to degradation – unlike normal enamel which is translucent, hard and impermeable. Chalky teeth and derivative terms have received widespread exposure as a metaphor for malformed teeth with elevated risk of tooth decay. A public "Chalky Teeth Campaign" highlights the major socioeconomic burdens of this medico-dental problem and desirability of research into prevention. The gritty sensation elicited by oxalate-rich foods such as spinach may also be described as "chalky teeth'.