Are Dental Issues Hereditary?
Do you frequently experience dental decay or other oral health issues? If so, do you often wonder if your family is to blame for passing down the bad teeth genes? It is an interesting topic to ponder. Are dental issues hereditary? The answer is, well, sort of.
What Part of Oral Health is Hereditary?
While it would be amazing if we could blame every cavity and dental health problem on our parents, it wouldn’t exactly be accurate. What can be hereditary is the shape of our jawbone and the likelihood of experiencing overcrowded and crooked teeth. Thankfully, with orthodontic treatment, these issues are able to be treated. If crooked and overcrowded teeth are not treated, it can cause difficulty brushing and flossing leading to recurring tooth decay and the need for dental treatments.
Environmental and Lifestyle Factors
Cavities and other oral health issues are more caused by environmental and lifestyle factors such as food choices, using tobacco products, and the manner in which you clean your teeth. These factors can contribute quite a bit to the dental issues you experience. Other factors can also include dental care that you received as a child, as well as how often you visit the dentist for routine care as an adult.
Be Honest With Us
Although not every oral health issue is hereditary, it is important to share your family history with regard to certain conditions, as there is a chance you may have a greater risk of developing the same issue. These conditions are gum disease and oral cancer. As mentioned above, environmental factors and your lifestyle are a better indicator of the likelihood of developing oral health issues. However, it is still beneficial if we are aware of your family history.
If you are located in the Canandaigua, NY area and have any concerns or questions about your oral health, be sure to contact our office to schedule an appointment. If it has been some time since your last hygiene examination and cleaning, we would love to see you!
