Know Your Family History: Some Oral Heath Disorders Are Genetic

Know Your Family Hoistory, Dental History, Genetic Oral Health Disorders, Your Community Dental

You brush, you floss, you rinse your mouth with mouth wash, and you visit your dentist routinely but you still seem to have a number of things wrong with your oral health. Sometimes, no matter how good your oral hygiene is, oral health disorders can still happen. There are several genetic tooth disorders that can affect your oral health. Your Community Dental wants to let you know the importance of knowing your families oral health history and some of the most common genetic oral health disorders. Knowing your families dental health history can help catch a genetic disorder early. 

These are a few dental disorders may run in the family:

  1. Cavities – Sometimes, preventing cavities is more than just keeping up with your oral hygiene. Certain types of the gene beta-defensin are linked to cavities. To protect your teeth from a genetic risk of cavities, it may be helpful to take a few extra precautions. Visit our office and we will help you decide on a plan to keep your teeth healthy. Common preventives include:
    • Sealants
    • Fluoride Treatments
    • Prescription Toothpaste
    • Special Mouth Rinse

 

  1. Gum Disease – Commonly appearing as a genetic disorder, gum disease or periodontal disease is often associated with sensitive and swollen gums. It is also linked to decay and can cause tooth and bone loss. With early awareness, there are many treatment options we can discuss with you.

 

  1. Misaligned Teeth – If braces were a common sight in your family, you most likely have had or will need braces. Jaw size, tooth spacing, overbites, underbites; these are all genetic.

 

  1. Oral Cancer – This is a scary topic, but it is something you should be aware of in case you need to take precautions. Genetics can play a small role in oral cancer. Avoiding tobacco, alcohol, and excessive unhealthy eating can help lower the risk.

 

If you are concerned that a genetic oral health disorder is affecting your teeth, schedule an appointment at our office. Your Community Dental will help you determine what steps to take so you can continue to maintain your bright healthy smile.