Many of us work hard to keep our smiles bright-getting regular cleanings, drinking through straws and using whitening toothpastes. However, you may wonder why friends who don’t adopt such diligent habits still have whiter teeth.
According to a study published in the Journal of the American Dental Association, skin tone and teeth are inversely related. Meaning the lighter skin you have, the more likely you are to have darker teeth, and, inversely, the darker your skin, the more likely you are to have lighter teeth. These are actual teeth shade measurements and not the eyes’ perception of contrast.
So bottom line: your genetics play a role in how white your smile looks, which means you could be doing everything right and still not have a smile that is naturally as bright as someone with a darker skin tone. The good news: plenty of in-office and over-the-counter whitening treatments exist to help correct dull and stained teeth. What’s your secret to a brighter smile?
