To keep your smile healthy, you know that you need to practice good oral hygiene habits and visit your dentist on a regular basis. But sometimes factors beyond your control can influence your oral health, including your genetics. If you have a family member who suffers from dental problems, you might face this same risk.
Your dentist can evaluate your unique smile and determine targeted treatments that will protect the look and feel of your teeth and gums, despite certain hereditary influences. You may feel more at ease when you understand some of the ways family history can affect your oral health ahead of your next dental check-up. Learn details about three types of dental problems that may develop due to your genetics as well as how to prevent them when you read on.
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Inherited Bite Problems
Many individuals aim to keep their teeth straight and beautiful, but a number of factors can make them grow crooked. Childhood habits, like thumb-sucking, can push teeth out of the desired alignment. But your genetics can also lead to bite problems and dental alignment concerns.
Overcrowded teeth, crookedness, and a narrow palate can all be hereditary and impact your overall oral health. These issues can complicate your dental health by causing issues like TMJ disorders.
Invisalign and other orthodontic solutions can fix your dental alignment. But early intervention when it comes to straightening your teeth is best. This means talking to your dentist about genetic influences in your bite as soon as you can.
Family History of Gum Disease
Gum disease is a common infection that can lead to inflammation in the gum tissue and a deterioration of your periodontal health. It develops when natural oral bacteria reach and infect the gums. This disease is common, affecting about half of adults in the United States, but some people face a greater risk of contracting it.
Poor oral habits can allow bacteria to spread with greater ease across your teeth. But some individuals have particularly aggressive oral bacteria due to their genetics. These patients may need more preventive care than the average person to prevent gum disease.
So if you have a family member who suffers from gum disease, you could have this risk factor as well. Find the preventative dental care that you need to protect your smile by talking to your dentist.
Higher Risk of Cavities
Excess and aggressive oral bacteria can cause other complications with your dental health as well. Bacteria can weaken tooth enamel and penetrate into it to cause decay. If decay wears a hole into the tooth, dentists refer to the issue as a cavity.
Many people will develop at least one cavity, but genetic predispositions can make someone more vulnerable to this type of tooth decay. Some people might have naturally thinner enamel or weaker teeth which would increase this danger too. Consult with a dentist to get the specific dental attention you need to protect your smile.