One of the first things people notice about you is the quality of your smile, and if yours looks more brown or yellow than pearly white, you might worry about being judged. People might make false assumptions, like that you don’t regularly brush, floss, or visit your dentist for routine appointments.
While it’s possible for a lack of oral hygiene to result in a darkened grin, some people have tinted teeth through no fault of their own. You might be surprised to learn that tooth stains can be hereditary and are passed down through your family. Continue learning how your genes can play a role in dental discoloration!
What Are the Types of Tooth Stains?
Would you be surprised to learn there are different kinds of tooth discoloration? Extrinsic stains are the most common and happen after prolonged or frequent exposure to pigmented foods like berries, tomatoes, coffee, tea, and wine. These exist in the outermost layer of enamel, so they often respond well to teeth whitening treatments.
However, blemishes can also originate in or seep into the lower layer of dentin. These intrinsic stains have several potential causes, such as certain medications, physical trauma to your teeth, excessive fluoride exposure in your youth, or even certain hereditary conditions.
Can Tooth Stains Be Genetic?
Some people inherit certain disorders from their parents that affect their enamel while it’s developing, resulting in different tones and blemishes. The two main conditions that cause discoloration are:
- Dentinogenesis imperfecta (DGI). Mutations in certain genes can lead to blue-gray or yellow-brown enamel, or make teeth weaker and more translucent than usual.
- Amelogenesis imperfecta (AI). This inherited disorder causes unusually small, grooved, pitted, or discolored teeth prone to rapid wear and breakage.
How Are Genetic Tooth Stains Treated?
If you’re worried that you’re stuck with a dark smile because your stains don’t respond to bleach, you can safely set your concerns aside. Your dentist can provide other cosmetic services to mask imperfections and improve your appearance. For example, porcelain veneers can be customized to match your smile and then cemented over the fronts of your teeth to hide flaws. They can also apply tooth-colored dental bonding to your enamel to cover any areas of concern.
Scheduling a consultation with your dentist is the first step to achieving a brighter grin. Whether your stains are due to genetics or consuming too many darkly colored foods, they have cosmetic services that can help!
About the Practice
At Skyline Dental of Morristown, you and your family benefit from two dentists with 20+ years of combined experience helping patients build and maintain happy, healthy smiles. Dr. Henkin and Dr. Xholi collaborate to provide a complete menu of services to meet your unique needs under one roof, including cosmetic services. Whether your teeth are discolored due to genetics or other causes, they have treatments that can improve your appearance and boost your confidence. You can request a consultation on the website or call (862) 2260-4116.