Everyone wants to show off a bright, white smile. However, we didn’t all maintain the perfectly bright smile that we wanted. Discoloration can be caused by all sorts of factors, including tobacco use, drinking pigmented beverages, and aging. You may be wondering if tooth stains have a genetic component as well. Read on to learn more about how genetics play a role in the appearance of your teeth.
Which Genetic Conditions Can Cause Discoloration?
Two different types of genetic conditions can cause inherited tooth staining or discoloration:
- Dentinogenesis Imperfecta: This inherited generic condition causes grayish, transparent tooth enamel and weak, brittle teeth. This can affect either primary teeth or permanent teeth.
- Amelogenesis Imperfecta: This is another inherited condition that’s caused by genetic grooving and pitting. This condition can also increase your risk of tooth decay, chipping, cracking, and breaking.
How Else Can Genetics Affect the Teeth?
Even if you aren’t suffering from a genetic condition that causes tooth discoloration, genetics can still affect the color of a person’s teeth. Thick, white enamel runs in families, as does this, more transparent tooth enamel. If you naturally develop teeth that are more on the yellow side, you may not respond well to store-bought teeth whitening. There are two different types of staining.
- Extrinsic Staining: Extrinsic tooth discoloration is usually caused by food, drinks, and tobacco use.
- Intrinsic Staining: This type of staining is much more difficult to treat because it’s present below the enamel. This can be caused by certain medical conditions and medications.
How Can Genetic Staining Be Treated?
If you suffer from tooth discoloration, the good news is that you have a few different options. Professional teeth whitening is generally the first thing to consider. Store-bought teeth whitening doesn’t usually provide great results, but whitening from your dentist is much stronger and more effective at lifting stains.
If you have a genetic condition that results in weak, discolored teeth, a restoration may be able to help you get the whiter smile you’ve been dreaming of. This includes the use of dental crowns, veneers, dental bonding, and more. By working with your dentist, you can come up with a plan that is best able to help you meet your smile goals.
You don’t need to settle for tooth discoloration. Talk to your dentist about your options. You will be showing off a bright, white smile in no time!
About the Practice
At Dentistry by Brand, we have a team of skilled dentists serving patients in the Garland area. With their combined experience and expertise, patients can get pretty much anything they need under one roof. To learn more about teeth whitening, or to schedule a consultation, visit our website or call (972) 495-9009.