How do some people have perfect pearly whites while doing the bare minimum for oral hygiene while others have to fight to keep teeth and gums healthy? Some of it comes down to genetics. Some of us are born with harder enamel, a better ability to fight infection and other genetic blessings that make it easy to stay healthy. However, as family dentists, we understand that our actions to keep our teeth healthy outweigh what we inherit from our parents.
You still need to cover essential oral hygiene if you’re blessed with strong teeth and gums. If you’re not so lucky, you can still keep your teeth strong and healthy. Taking care of your health and not using tobacco remain the number one ways to stay mouth-healthy.
The science of genetics and tooth decay is fascinating. Medical professionals have identified several genetic factors that impact our susceptibility to cavities. The American Dental Association has identified over a dozen genes that affect cavities, mostly related to tooth enamel, mineralization, and saliva production. Our genes can make our enamel harder and determine our saliva’s ability to break down starches. However, environmental factors and lifestyle choices still play a significant role. For example, eating carbohydrate-heavy foods still causes cavity-causing bacteria to breed. And good habits like brushing and flossing still help us remove bacteria and plaque, even if our genes make us more susceptible.
What About Genetics and Gum Disease?The ADA stresses that overall health factors like diabetes and tobacco use play a much bigger role in gum health than genetic factors. Genes contribute to periodontal disease, as do your overall health and lifestyle choices. For example, genetics can impact how our bodies respond to bacteria and our overall immune response. Our genes also affect how our bodies process Vitamin D, which plays a role in gum disease. Tobacco use, nutrition and oral hygiene factor in as much or more than hereditary factors.
Having a family history of oral cancer is one risk factor for getting the disease. However, experts agree that lifestyle factors play a much more significant role. The three leading causes are smoking/tobacco use, alcohol and HPV infections. Diet and exposure of the lips and mouth to UV light (sun) are also risk factors to consider. Males tend to have a higher risk of oral cancer.
The ADA confirms that oral health problems, from cavities to gum disease to oral cancer, have various complex causes. Saliva tests are available to detect genes that might put us at higher risk. However, as dentists, we understand that their usefulness is limited. As the ADA confirms, there are currently no FDA-approved salivary diagnostic tests for evaluating the risk of periodontal disease, cavities, or head and neck cancers.
Your family dentist can confirm that no genetic factor plays as significant a role as your choices and lifestyle in protecting oral health. Avoiding tobacco and keeping your body healthy are two essential ways to protect your teeth and gums. Lifestyle choices play a major role, no matter what your genetic predisposition looks like. You can fight cavities and gum disease by eating a healthy diet, brushing and flossing regularly and considering calcium or fluoride supplements if recommended by your dentist. Seeing your dentist regularly for checkups is another must–especially if you’re at higher risk. At Greenhill Family Dental Care in Gainesville, we understand that some patients have an easier path in caring for their teeth while others face more obstacles. Like other health risk factors we discuss with our doctors, we have to work with what we’re born with. Ultimately, each patient is in control of their oral health. As always, your Greenhill dental team is here to help as you work to make the best possible choices.
