Even if you know you inherited some traits, you likely haven’t linked that heritage to your smile. Most folks only associate their height, hair color, or body structure with their ancestry. However, bad teeth can also run in your family; it’s just a matter of who your parents, grandparents, and so on are. As for the specifics, let your Rockville dentist share the details. Just keep reading to learn how bad teeth can be genetic and what to do about that issue.
How Can You Inherit Bad Teeth?
Though it may sound odd, people can inherit bad teeth from their families. Various genes have been linked to oral health conditions like:
Yellowed Teeth
Yellow teeth sometimes stem from genetics, not just hygiene. The reason comes down to how tooth formation results from your biology. Depending on your genes, you may be born with a thin enamel layer that makes your teeth seem dark and yellow. (That said, thin enamel can also come from wear and tear.)
Tooth Decay
Biology can also be the culprit for cavities, as genes can make some teeth less resistant to bacteria. The latter issue will often cause you to suffer a higher risk of tooth decay and similar issues. In that case, you’ll need to be extra careful with your grin.
Crooked/Misaligned Teeth
Even your smile’s alignment can be influenced by your heritage. Biology impacts whether a jaw is big or small, affecting your risk of dental crowding, gaps, and bite problems. Research even shows that having a family with such orthodontic issues makes you more likely to have those conditions yourself.
What’s the Best Response?
With all that said, your oral health isn’t completely determined by your genes. You can still make your smile fairly healthy by doing the following:
- Keep a Clean Mouth: With twice-daily brushing, once-daily flossing, and frequent mouth rinses, your grin will get stronger and prettier.
- Avoid Sugar: If you want to make cavities less likely, reduce your intake of sugary foods. You can then have “mouth-healthy” alternatives like leafy greens, lean protein, and dairy.
- Quit Bad Habits: Smoking tobacco stains teeth and causes cancer, so avoid this habit and similar ones.
- Get Dental Checkups: When you see your dentist for regular checkups, they’ll prevent small oral issues from worsening.
While bad teeth can run in the family, inheritance isn’t everything. Consult your dental provider to learn how to make your smile strong and shiny!
About the Practice
Signature Smiles of Rockville is based in Rockville, MD. Led by the amazing Dr. Susan Partovi, our practice has the knowledge and skill to make every smile thrive. We embody those qualities with our preventive, cosmetic, and restorative treatments, which are all tailored to your specific wants and needs. This set of services – and our commitment to each patient – will surely transform your grin! For more details or to book a visit, please contact us on our website or by phone at (301)-990-0020.