As an important part of overall well-being, oral health has its impact on our physical health only but it affects our self-esteem and confidence also. Though factors like hygiene and diet affect maintaining our oral health, genetics also have an influential impact. Like how our genes determine traits like our eyes and height, it also has its hand when it comes to teeth strength, alignment, and structure and according to that, you need to take care of your oral hygiene to ensure better oral health. To understand how to manage your teeth better and make a proper routine according to your requirements, visit a family dentist in Shelby Township, MI for professional guidance on how to do it effectively. Before that look at this article to know what roles your genetics play when it comes to oral health.
Role in Abnormalities
Many of the conditions and abnormalities that have a massive impact on our teeth and gums are due to genetics, like a disease that affects your enamel which is a hard protective layer of teeth, in this condition it is hard and due to genes, they are soft, and thin which increases the tooth sensitivity and vulnerability to decay. A condition where dentin, a layer below enamel is affected thus giving you discolored teeth that might appear translucent or with shades of blue and grey. Due to genetics, the condition of the f a missing tooth is also seen where there is the absence of molars like e wisdom tooth. Misalignment of teeth may occur due to early stage thumbsucking or pacifier habit but many of us have misalignment due to genetics because of the size of our jaw and teeth and if our teeth are crowded. If you as a parent have a misalignment in your teeth, your child will have a high probability of having it too.
Role In Disease Conditions
Your gene effect will increase the risk of developing conditions like tooth decay and gum issues even if you are someone with very good oral hygiene practices, this is called genetic predisposition which affects your immune system’s response to bacteria making them more prone to oral disease conditions like cavities which happens when the food particles are stuck in between your teeth and bacteria feed on that producing acid, genetic affect on the alignment of the teeth, depth and shape decide how easily it can occur, factors like pH balance and salivary flow which is genetical also affect the development of cavities. Also, in conditions like periodontal disease, though a major factor is dental hygiene practices, research has shown that the immune system response in fighting bacteria can be the reason for the infestations in gums. If you have a family history of oral cancer or cancer that affects mainly neck and neck you will be more at risk of oral cancer, which is due to gene mutations in tumor genes that increase the risk
Research In Genetic Dentistry
If a condition’s risk is seen from an early stage, it will help with planning a routine that is going to help in preventing the risk of genetic conditions. Hence research is being done to solve this problem and reduce the damaging impact of genes on oral health. Inventions like genetic testing for oral health which will analyze if the disease conditions like cavities or gums issues have any association with genes, help dentists to tailor treatment plans for precision treatment like it is done in cancer which is going to help if you have conditions of weak enamel or dentin absence. Dentists can now alter the genes that can cause disease as a prevention or treatment method.
Though genetic factors play a role in your oral health, regular cleaning and maintenance are going to help. You with prevent many of the conditions. Make sure to regularly visit the dentist for check-ups.
