How Genetics Play a Role in Teeth Health

Beautiful woman smile. Dental health care clinic.

Studies have proven that genes do have some role in the outcome of dental health. It’s a known fact that genes are the ultimate template of our personality and appearance, and the teeth and gums are not exempted from this. What did your mother and father pass on to your teeth when you were conceived?

Characteristics of Teeth Commonly Affected by Genes

The dental traits mostly affected by genes are:

1. Enamel. The thickness of the enamel can be dictated by your genes. Thinner enamels are more susceptible to decay.
2. Alignment. The crooked teeth of your dad may as well be the reflection of your teeth when you grow up. Apart from crookedness, the entire jaw formation and alignment is also affected by the genes.
3. Wisdom teeth. If your parents have wisdom teeth, your chances of having them is high. Likewise, if your parents have the mutation that eliminates wisdom teeth from dental development, you also have a higher chance of not having wisdom teeth.
4. Saliva. The saliva is the body’s natural defense against bacteria and tooth decay. The genetic makeup of every individual can affect how strong or weak saliva is in fighting bacteria.

Should I Let My Genes Dictate My Oral Health?

Of course not! Your genes are only one part of you, but they don’t define who you are. You have the free will to decide whether you want to have healthy teeth or not. Sure, it may require extra effort if your are genetically predisposed to have bad teeth, but all the effort will be worth it in the end. You will be able to reap the benefits of good dental health later in life, when you don’t need to wear dentures while most of your friends already do.

Here are some ways you can defeat your genes and keep your teeth and gums healthy:

1. Practice optimal oral hygiene. There’s nothing that can’t be solved by good oral hygiene. Brush your teeth twice a day, floss in between brushes, use an antiseptic mouthwash and avoid acidic foods that can erode your tooth enamel. If you need more tips and instructions, our dental team will be more than happy to give you some pointers in proper dental care.
2. Visit our clinic regularly. All Smiles Dental is open Mondays to Thursdays. You can easily set an appointment with our staff to get a dental examination. Visiting our clinic at least once every six months will ensure that you don’t have the early signs of gum disease and your teeth are in top shape. If you do have dental problems, we will be able to fix them right away if you come into the clinic regularly.
3. Avoid sweets and sugary beverages. Sweets are the worst foods for your teeth, but sugary beverages and sodas in particular have a very destructive effect on teeth because they can get into the nooks and crannies of your teeth. This increases the risk of acquiring tooth decay and gum disease because bacteria can thrive even in the areas not easily reached by brushing.
4. Get all the fluoride you can. Fluoride is the only answer to strengthening your teeth. While calcium, magnesium and other minerals needed by the teeth are already present in our daily diet, fluoride needs to be obtained from an external source. The best sources of fluoride include tap water, toothpaste and dental applications. You can visit our clinic to get a fluoride treatment every six months.

Genes don’t need to be your reason to have poor teeth. On the contrary, once you have figured out that your genes have predisposed you to have unhealthy teeth, you must take action and get proper treatment immediately. At All Smiles Dental, we pay great attention to your overall dental health, including your genes and family history. If you would like to get a dental appointment scheduled, just give us a call at 803-602-3880. Our dental staff will be more than happy to assist you.

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