Nature or Nurture: Can Tooth Discoloration Be Hereditary? 

Do you feel like your teeth have always been discolored or yellow, even when you were a teen? Have you ever noticed that your parents or other family members had similar problems with their own smiles? Are you tired of wasting your hard-earned money on whitening strips and pastes that don’t get results? Here’s what could be causing your tooth stains, and how with cosmetic dentistry, you can finally get the bright, white smile you deserve!

Tooth Shade and Genetics

Although your genes won’t determine what foods you eat or which bad oral habits you perform, they can influence the color of your teeth. That’s because genetics do determine both the translucency and thickness of their outermost layer, the enamel. Unfortunately, because the dentin (the next layer down) has a yellow tint, it can sometimes show if your enamel is too thin, meaning that yes, discolored or yellow teeth actually can run in the family!

Other ways tooth shade can be hereditary are conditions such as amelogenesis imperfecta which affects the formation of the enamel and can make it appear yellow, gray, or brown, and dentogenesis imperfecta which can affect the development of your dentin and leave your teeth discolored or even translucent.

How Can I Treat Genetically Discolored Teeth?

Because discoloration that is related to genetics can be difficult to remove with brushing alone, your dentist offers a variety of cosmetic treatments to help.  Professional whitening is one of the most affordable and popular options and can penetrate down to the enamel to remove up to eight shades of discoloration in about an hour. For more severe or stubborn stains, options such as porcelain veneers and cosmetic dental bonding may be a better choice to cover the tooth and protect it from future staining. Your dentist can help you select the best option for your smile based on the type of discoloration you’d like to correct.

Remember, it is possible for your genes to affect the color of your smile. If you’d like to improve the appearance of your teeth and remove discoloration of any kind, schedule a consultation with your dentist today and learn more about how cosmetic dentistry can give you the gorgeous, glowing grin you desire!

About Our Practice

At A New Smile, our team of skilled and caring dentists want to make your beautiful smile even better. That’s why we’re proud to offer a variety of incredible cosmetic dentistry options for giving you the bright, white teeth you deserve. If you’re ready to get that gorgeous glowing grin you’ve been dreaming of, schedule a consultation with us today on our website, or by calling 818-897-5771.