Request An Appointment
Do you have teeth you swear stain more easily than the average joe’s? As it turns out, that could actually be the case! Several genetic factors can contribute to tarnished whites, meaning the fault could lie with your family tree, not necessarily your oral hygiene habits. Keep reading, and this post will address the dental gene-pool – and what you can do to finally achieve the brighter smile you’ve always wanted.
Genetic Factors That Influence Tooth Color
Whether or not your teeth appear stark white or mellow yellow has a lot to do with your enamel and dentin. Enamal is the outermost layer of your teeth, while dentin is the more sensitive layer lying just underneath. If your enamel is thinner, more of your dentin will show, making your teeth appear duller in color. Similarly, if your dentin is too weak, it can make your teeth look discolored or even translucent.
How these two dental layers develop depends on your genetics, so if your family has genetically thinner enamel or weaker dentin, you’ll likely need more than daily oral hygiene to help your smile look white and bright.
Dental Cosmetic Solutions
Fortunately, your dentist has modern solutions for modern problems! Genetically discolored teeth often respond well to dental cosmetic treatments, such as:
- Professional teeth whitening
- Dental veneers
- Direct bonding
- Metal-free crowns
Professional teeth whitening treatments use special chemicals that are designed to specifically target tooth enamel, making them far more effective than the kits you’ll find in stores. For more stubborn stains, veneers, bonding, or crowns might be the way to go, as they’ll simply conceal your discolored spots with tooth-colored materials.
Maintaining Your New Smile Shade
Even though daily oral hygiene might not be enough to eliminate genetic yellowing, it’s still important for maintaining your oral health, and is the best way to care for your new dental cosmetics. Just by brushing once per day, flossing once daily, and visiting your dentist biannually, you significantly reduce bacteria build up and help keep your cosmetics clean. So don’t skip out on these important habits!
Fighting genetically tarnished teeth can be frustrating, but your friendly neighborhood dentist can help. Ask about the possibility of a cosmetic dentistry treatment, and you could be well on your way towards a brighter smile!
About the Author
Dr. S. John Salivonchik is a highly experienced dentist, as well as a proud member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. He enjoys blending art, creativity, and science to craft beautiful dental cosmetics or whiten his patients’ teeth. If you need help finding a solution for your dental yellowing, Dr. Salivonchik will be happy to meet with you and help you feel better about your smile! To contact his office, call 610-502-1545.
