Have you ever wondered why every individual has a different tooth color? You may think some have stained teeth and some not. As per the studies, more than 28% of people were not satisfied with their yellow teeth, mainly because of the perception that yellow teeth are stained and not natural, and teeth cleaning will make the stains go away. But the color of teeth is not always related to stains but depends greatly on his/her genetic makeup.
Due to different variations inherited from our parents, we notice a varying spectrum of white and yellow colors in our teeth.In the following article, we will dive deeply into understanding the role of genes in teeth’s natural color and how teeth whitening is helpful.
Genetics and oral health
When considering teeth whitening or teeth cleaning options, it is essential to understand the role of genetics in one’s teeth color and alignment. Genetics play a crucial role in determining the color as well as the alignment and crowding of your teeth. Here is how your genetics makeup affects your oral cavity:
- Enamel
The thickness of your tooth’s enamel is determined by your genetic makeup. The enamel is the outermost layer of your tooth and is translucent in nature. Beneath the enamel, there is dentin, the layer with a naturally yellow hue. Thicker the enamel, better it will hide the dentin and whiter the teeth.
Furthermore, your genetic makeup does not only affect your enamel’s thickness, but also the composition of your enamel, determining your teeth’s response to various staining factors. Studying varying enamel thickness will help understand which teeth cleaning treatment suits you best.
- Alignment
The alignment of your teeth is determined by your genetic makeup. If one of your parents carries the genes for crowded teeth or a certain shape and alignment of the jaw bone, you are a carrier too and your body is more likely to express it.
Around 30-60% individuals from various populations are affected by overcrowding of teeth. This calls for a cosmetic dentist to perform orthodontic treatment and help overcome the issue.
- Gum infection
Genetics is a crucial factor affecting your vulnerability to gum disease. There are certain genes that cause various responses to various infections and affect your vulnerability to get infected by gum infection. They affect your immune system and hence the inflammation or swelling caused in response to the disease.
- Composition and quantity of saliva
Different minerals in saliva are present in different concentrations in different individuals. These minerals help wash away food particles and neutralize the pH inside your mouth. People with a high mineral concentration in saliva have low chances of getting cavities. Genetics plays a crucial role in deciding the amount of minerals required in your saliva, thus affecting your susceptibility to cavities.
Role of genetics in teeth’s color
There are various genes that have been studied deeply for their effects on discoloration of teeth. Two of the major genes are:
- AMELX gene
AMELX gene is responsible for producing amelogenin, a protein that helps form the tooth enamel. This gene affects the thickness of your enamel. As discussed earlier, thicker the enamel, better is the dentin hidden and whiter the color of your teeth.
Different individuals have different thickness of the enamel, and hence different color of the teeth. Therefore, every individual responds differently to teeth whitening or teeth cleaning treatments.
- BNC2 gene
This gene is associated with the production of melanin developing protein. Melanin is a pigment found in our bodies that affects the color of our hair, nails and teeth. This in turn affects the color of your teeth as well.
Teeth whitening treatment
A teeth whitening treatment refers to a teeth cleaning or whitening procedure that helps lighten the color of one’s teeth and removes any yellow stains from the teeth. Teeth whitening uses different bleaching agents that help whiten the teeth.
Genetics and variable responses to whitening treatment
As discussed above, different variations in one’s genome help determine different colors of teeth. Some individuals have genetically thin enamel, which exposes their dentin and shows off a yellowish color. Whereas some have a thick enamel which helps keep their dentin hidden, giving their teeth a whiter color.
This is one of the reasons why different individuals show different responses to teeth whitening treatment. Here is how teeth whitening treatment for those with thin enamel is personalized.
- Low concentrations of hydrogen peroxide: Low concentration of hydrogen peroxide is used to avoid enamel from wearing off fast. Teeth whitening can help those with thin enamel get whiter teeth by treating them under controlled concentrations of the agents.
- Controlled application of gel: Customized trays are used to allow controlled application of the teeth whitening gel.
- Alternative cosmetic options: Other than teeth whitening, there are alternatives that can help give whiter teeth. These include teeth cleaning using different tools, or veneers to help cover yellow teeth.
Furthermore, for people with a thick enamel, stronger agents are used to help reach under the enamel and to the dentin. This helps bring out whiter teeth in individuals who have genetically yellow teeth.
Genetics and tooth sensitivity
Just like hair color and strength, genetics greatly affect sensitivity of the teeth towards teeth whitening treatments. This is mainly because of the thickness of the enamel and density of the dentin. These variations affect susceptibility of different individuals to discomfort and sensitivity to teeth whitening treatment.
Conclusion
In coming to an end, it can thus be concluded that genetics plays a major part in determining the color of your natural teeth. By affecting your enamel’s thickness and tooth alignment, your genetic makeup affects your response to teeth whitening treatments as well as the natural color of your teeth.
If you are seeking a good cosmetic dentist for orthodontic treatment, look no further than Lycian Denal Cinic. At Lycian Clinic, our professional dentists help provide personalized plans as per your genetic makeup. So why wait? Book your appointment today.
