There are various things that can affect the health of your teeth, including both your oral hygiene habits and your genetics – yes your oral health may be affected by your genes!
In our latest post, we discuss which aspects of your teeth may be affected by genetics, ensuring you can take necessary steps to maintain the health of your mouth.
Gum Disease
Treatments for gum disease are often advertised on the television, making this a well-known condition that can affect people of all ages. Gum disease actually begins as gingivitis and then proceeds to develop into gum disease if left untreated. Whilst your oral hygiene can play a major part in preventing gum disease, it is recognised that genetics is a major risk factor for developing gum disease.
Early diagnosis of gum disease is important for protecting your teeth and gums, so make sure you don’t skip your dental check-ups. If you know that gum disease runs in your family, mention it to your dentist.
Is Tooth Decay Genetic?
Tooth decay may occur as a result of bad oral hygiene and a sugary diet, but genetics can also play a part. In fact, some variations of the gene beta-defensin 1 (DEFB1) are linked to a higher risk of tooth decay in permanent teeth.
If you believe that you or your children are at a higher risk of developing cavities, you may want to speak to your dentist regarding preventative sealant treatment and which toothpastes are best to use.
Is Tooth Alignment Genetic?
Whilst the use of a pacifier and thumb sucking can cause the teeth to be misaligned, the shape and size of the jaw can also be hereditary and cause over-crowding, gaps and issues with the bite.
If there is a history of orthodontic issues in your family, be sure to alert your dentist. Early treatment for children will allow the teeth to grow in properly and potentially avoid other problems later on.
Love-Teeth Dental Practice
Our highly trained team take pride in providing helpful advice to ensure the oral health of every patient we see. Keeping up to date with your dental check-ups is imperative for spotting any issues early on and taking the necessary steps to treat them.
If you think you’re due for a check-up, call us today on 0161 773 7080 or simply make your appointment through our booking form.
