Your eye color. Your blood type. Your height. There are many things about you that uniquely result from your parents, grandparents, and others in your family tree. But what about your smile? Are “bad teeth” genetic? Sometimes the genes you’re born with include unfortunate traits too—like having poor oral health regardless of how hard you try. In this post, you’ll learn more about how your genes can affect your teeth and gums and what you can do to keep your smile strong.
How Genetics Impacts Your Oral Health
Just as some people can be predisposed to certain conditions, your mouth may be more vulnerable to decay or infection. Here are ways your genetics could be contributing to your oral health problems:
- Development of teeth and enamel. Your genes can affect how strong your teeth are from the beginning. Thin enamel can make it easier to get cavities and experience tooth pain.
- Ability to produce saliva. Saliva rinses bacteria and plaque out of the mouth, but you may struggle to produce an adequate amount and therefore have an increased chance of gum disease, cavities, and other oral issues.
- Your body’s immune system. Believe it or not, your ability to fight off infections plays an important role in your oral health. Those who have a poor immune system are more likely to have tooth decay and severe gum disease, called periodontitis.
How You Can Overcome Genetics
Although you can’t control the genes you’ve inherited, you do have some control over the health of your smile. There are plenty of things you can do to keep your mouth healthy:
Maintain Good Oral Hygiene
Needless to say that if you struggle with oral issues, you need to be diligent in your daily hygiene. Brushing twice and flossing once daily are essential. You may also want to consider adding a fluoride mouthwash to your oral care routine, especially if saliva production is a problem.
Make Healthy Diet Choices
The foods and drinks you consume can have a significant impact on your smile. For instance, you probably already know that the sugar in candy encourages bad bacteria in your mouth. In addition, eating starchy, sugary foods like cookies, crackers, chips, and more contribute to the sticky plaque that causes many problems in the mouth. Instead, you can enjoy foods that can actually benefit your oral health, such as apples, pears, carrots, and leafy greens. Drinking water throughout the day, instead of sugary soda, juice, or sports drinks, also helps to keep your mouth clear and hydrated.
Visit the Dentist Regularly
No one said you have to fight against oral issues alone. In fact, you should be working closely with a dentist on a regular basis to make sure these problems don’t get out of control. Perhaps you need a professional cleaning more frequently than every six months. Perhaps the dentist can recommend a special products that can help. Regardless, it can be helpful to have a professional on your side.
In the end, your genes don’t have to completely define who you are. You can take what you’ve been given and make changes to improve your oral health. By taking these steps, you can help your smile stay healthy despite your family history.
About the Practice
At Crete Family Dental, patients of all ages in the Crete area can find compassionate, expert care for all their dental needs. Dr. Andre Rossini has an impressive background with two dental degrees, one from Paraguay and the other from the Collee of Dentistry at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. In addition to his work at the practice, he also volunteers with the Lincoln People’s City Mission Free Medical Clinic as well as Nebraska’s Mission of Mercy. If you would like to discuss your “bad teeth” with Dr. Rossini, you can contact Crete Family Dental through our website or by calling 402-418-7214.