Can poor dental health be genetic?

Dental health issues are pervasive, and some oral health diseases are chronic. Dental issues are known to impact your general health severely. This makes a solid case for dedicatedly taking ownership of your dental health to ensure better overall health.

Many studies suggest that poor dental health is genetic. Bad oral or dental health runs in the family, and your genetics can significantly affect how your dental health will be. 

In most cases, genetics can affect the shape, structure, bone development, and placement of the teeth. Therefore, many people suffer from common dental issues like crooked, uneven, misaligned teeth from the very beginning. 

Today, a majority of the population is concerned that their teeth condition is hereditary and will increase with age. But in this article, we will discuss some common dental concerns or dental health problems that can be due to genetics, and you will get a closer look at how you can prevent them in the longer run. 

Some oral health diseases can be caused due to genetics or are hereditary. 

Various dental health issues are genetic and contribute to poor oral health. In addition, if any member of your family, whether it is your father, mother, sister, or brother, has any oral disease, it can put you at a higher risk of having major dental issues. Therefore, look at the below-given condition that might happen due to the same reason: 

• Gum disease: Gum infections and diseases are caused by the over-accumulation of germs and bacteria in your mouth. But genetics also plays a massive role in developing multiple gum diseases, for example, gingivitis or periodontal. Therefore, taking care of your oral health becomes very vital.
• Tooth decay or cavity: In most cases, the cavity is not considered genetic, and many dentists believe that cavity and tooth decay can happen to anyone, and it depends on how religiously you follow your oral care routine. But some studies show genetics plays a role in making teeth prone or sensitive to cavities. In addition, if your family members have faced the issue of early tooth decay, you might be prone to it too. 
• Amelogenesis Imperfecta: This oral health condition involves the build-up of enamel and defective tooth. Genetics plays a significant role in the development of this oral care condition. In Amelogenesis imperfecta, your teeth become sensitive to extreme cold or hot foods and drinks.
• Anodontia: This condition is also genetic; in most cases, children are born with it. Kids born with this defect usually get their baby teeth but suffer from one or two primary missing teeth. This dental health condition causes spacing between the teeth due to the non-development of the teeth.
• Canker Sores: Canker sores is a condition in which gray or white ulcers appear inside the mouth with blood in them. Studies suggest deficiencies in the immune system cause it, but genetics also significantly make you more prone to this oral health condition. 

Lastly, even if some dental health issues are genetic, that does not mean you should not take ownership and follow a proper brushing routine to keep any teeth-related issues at bay. 

Make sure you brush your teeth two times a day using fluoride toothpaste, and topping it up with a good flossing routine is a must. In addition, using good mouthwash is also a must to keep sour bread away. Moreover, visiting your dentist regularly will help you with most of your oral health concerns, and you will be able to prevent such diseases.