As any dentist will tell you, the most important thing you can do if you’re interested in protecting your teeth is to stick to a solid dental hygiene routine. However, some people feel like they’re constantly fighting an uphill battle when it comes to their oral health. This is without even talking about misalignment, which naturally affects some people to a greater extent than others.
You might have heard that bad teeth can run in the family, i.e. that there’s a genetic component to the quality of people’s smiles. Here’s what you should know about that prospect.
Can Genetics Cause Crooked Teeth?
More often than not, crooked teeth usually come about as a consequence of genetics. This has to do with the natural size and shape of the jaw, most of which is inherited.
Of course, there’s plenty that can be done to straighten teeth that are naturally crooked; orthodontics is incredibly sophisticated. However, some people will have a tougher time with this process than others through virtually no fault of their own.
Can Genetics Cause Gum Disease?
As it turns out, the genetic influences on oral health run far deeper than just the alignment of your teeth. If you find that you’re unusually prone to gum disease, there’s a possibility that you’ve inherited it.
This can be related to the last point; crooked teeth are harder to clean, and people who have them have higher risk of periodontal illness.
However, recent research on colonies of bacteria in the mouth have found that there are ways that bacteria can influence them. For that reason, it’s possible in many instances to “inherit” bad teeth.
Ways to Prevent Gum Disease
If you are one of the unlucky few that has inherited issues with your teeth, it’s more important for you to take your oral health as seriously as possible. This thankfully isn’t all that difficult; in fact, you’re probably already well aware of most of what would be recommended to help you.
Daily dental hygiene is incredibly important. Brushing twice a day, flossing daily, and using mouthwash will all allow you to stop the development of plaque. It’s also critical that you talk to your dentist biannually for checkups and cleanings, as they’ll be able to help you clean up bacterial deposits in places that you can’t reach normally
About the Author
Dr. Sikander Singh knows that healthy teeth comes from a healthy lifestyle. That’s why he does more than treat patients; he gets to know them as individuals so that he can teach them all they need to know about protecting their teeth. Dr. Singh received his dental degree from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, and completed his General Practice Residency the York Hospital, PA.
If you have any questions about how you can protect your smile, he can be reached at his website or by phone at (717) 755-4143.
