Some patients believe that no matter how well they take care of their teeth, they are still more prone to cavities than others. A recent article in the Wall Street Journal suggests that that their parents are to blame for their dental misfortune. Could this be true?
Here are the facts:
Genetics Do Play a Part in Your Dental (And Overall) Health
For better or worse, studies show that genetics do play a role on how prone you are to cavities. We’ve seen this at our office firsthand. Some people can do everything wrong: never get cleanings, go days without brushing or flossing, eat a lot of sugar, and still remain cavity-free. On the other hand, some people brush and floss regularly, visit their dentist for regular checkups & cleanings, and still can’t seem to stay away from decay.
Although it is clear that genetics are tied to decay, it is still unclear which part of the tooth decay process is directly affected by your genes. Perhaps, it could be that some teeth inherently are harder to clean and catch more food. We’ve also seen patients that think they were doing a tip-top job with their oral health care regimen, but upon further investigation, we found out they were doing as good of a job they thought.
What Can You Do About It?
There’s nothing you can do about your genetics, so don’t worry about it! Whether you’re predisposed to having healthy teeth or can’t seem to go a visit without needing a filling, our advice remains the same:
- Brush & floss daily.
- Visit your dentist regularly for exams and cleanings.
- Stay away from sugar & excess carbohydrates.
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