The color of your eyes. The shape of your nose. The type of your blood. There are many inherited traits that come from your family. But did you know the color of your teeth may be one, too? Perhaps you have always struggled with dark tooth stains, no matter how consistent you are with your oral hygiene routine. Discover from your cosmetic dentist the ways genetics can influence tooth discoloration and how to get the bright smile you’ve always wanted!
How Does Genetics Influence the Color of Your Teeth?
Staining and discoloration are commonly caused by poor oral hygiene, smoking, or consuming highly pigmented foods and drinks. This is called extrinsic staining. However, there are many cases where it’s caused by genetics.
There are two different types of inherited conditions that can affect the color of your smile:
- Dentinogenesis Imperfecta: This genetic condition causes grayish, transparent tooth enamel and weak, brittle teeth. This can affect either primary teeth (commonly known as “baby teeth”) or permanent teeth.
- Amelogenesis Imperfecta: This condition is also caused by genetic mutations. It results in yellow-brown tooth discoloration and soft, fragile enamel that’s prone to grooving and pitting. This condition can also increase your risk of tooth decay, chipping, cracking, and breaking.
How Can My Cosmetic Dentist Help with Staining?
If the stains on your teeth never seem to disappear no matter how much you brush and floss or use store-bought whiteners, your cosmetic dentist can help! Here are some options for you:
Teeth Whitening
Professional teeth whitening can help you achieve the bright smile you have been wanting. The materials used by a dental professional are more concentrated and effective than the versions sold online and in stores. They will apply a specially designed gel made from peroxide-based bleach to your teeth. Within a one-hour dental visit, your grin can be up to eight shades whiter!
Porcelain Veneers
The ultra-thin colored shells made from porcelain are bonded to the front surfaces of teeth for dynamic teeth-whitening as well as fixing any misshaping or gapping issues you may have. It’s an excellent solution for patients with severe discoloration!
Cosmetic Dental Bonding
If you have a minor stain, dental bonding can hide it in no time. Your cosmetic dentist will apply a color-matched composite resin to the flawed tooth and sculpt it to match the surrounding teeth. The treatment can take as little as one hour, so you only need one appointment for your smile upgrade.
Don’t settle for tooth stains and discoloration, even if they’re genetic. With these options from your cosmetic dentist, you can flash bright pearly whites every time you smile!
About the Author
Dr. Rodney Allen keeps the smiles of Parker healthy and bright! He earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery at the Baylor College of Dentistry and has completed many continuing education courses at the prestigious Spear Education. With over 20 years of experience, he can help you achieve a whiter smile with various cosmetic treatments. To schedule a consultation, contact him through his website or call (720) 851-6784.