Albertville, AL
Maintaining healthy teeth and gums has a lot to do with your daily habits, what you eat and drink, and how well or often you brush and floss your teeth. You might be diligent about taking care of your teeth and gums yet still find that you get cavities or suffer from dental problems often. On the other hand, some individuals lack sufficient dental care yet hardly ever seem to have issues with their teeth. What gives? Are some people just lucky? Today on the blog, our Albertville dentists share whether luck has anything to do with healthy teeth and gums, and how to ensure you keep your oral health in tiptop shape.
Genetics
When it comes to your oral health, your genetics play a significant role. According to the Center for Craniofacial and Dental Genetics director at the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine, Mary L. Marazita, approximately 60% of tooth decay is due to genetics. Although the study of genetics and its impact on dental health is still in its infancy, researchers uncovered common cavity-causing factors concerning genetics listed below.
- Tooth Enamel – It’s the strongest substance in your body, and your genes determine the enamel structure. Strong enamel can absorb critical nutrients such as calcium and fluoride for some. For others, weak enamel may need additional care and attention from a local Albertville dentist.
- Immune System – The immune system is vital in fighting harmful bacteria. Your body contains thousands of microorganism species that dictate your body’s natural immune response. Therefore, if you have a high-functioning PTO-accrual immune system, your body can easily fight illness, especially gum disease. However, patients with a compromised immune system may be at a higher risk of cavities and gum disease.
- Saliva – Polymorphisms are individual variations in the beta-defensin gene, the first-line immune response against germs. According to a Pittsburg Dental School research study, the variations may lead to differences in your saliva’s ability to stop bacterial colonization that may lead to tooth decay or gum disease.
- Shape – Like people, teeth come in different shapes and sizes. An individual’s genes are responsible for establishing your teeth shape and location. Patients with crowded or misshaped teeth have an increased risk of cavities and gum disease because it can be challenging to brush and floss all tooth surfaces when teeth are severely misaligned or crooked.
Behavior
Genetics isn’t the only determining factor in your overall health. Daily food and lifestyle choices affect your oral health. Although you may have perfect pearly whites because you hit the genetic jackpot, neglecting your oral health can have dire consequences. Albertville dentists explain that cavities are mostly preventable. However, some patients may experience other behaviors impacting their oral health.
- Snoring – Besides annoying your spouse, snoring may cause tooth irritation, reduced saliva production, and an increased risk for harmful bacteria. Unfortunately, some patients are unaware of their snoring yet wake up with a dry mouth. Our Albertville dentists who treat sleep apnea can provide effective treatment for snoring cessation.
- Constant Snacking – Frequently consuming sugar throughout the day increases your risk of cavities. It’s not so much a single act of eating or drinking something filled with sugar that causes cavities, but rather the number of times throughout the day that you expose your teeth to the cavity-causing substance. For example, sipping soda throughout the day increases your cavity risk more than restricting your consumption to mealtimes only. Therefore, it’s best to consume high sugar content foods and beverages in one sitting instead of throughout the day so that you’re not constantly bathing your teeth in sugar. And then afterward, brush and floss your teeth so that the sugar doesn’t remain on your teeth all day long.
- Skipping Appointments – Regular dental checkups and cleanings are crucial to your oral health. Unfortunately, even the most diligent brushing and flossing efforts cannot remove harmful bacteria in unreachable places. Therefore, our Albertville family dentists encourage patients to follow through with their six-month dental checkups and cleanings. During these appointments, we remove tartar buildup that is responsible for bad breath, stains, tooth decay, and gum disease, and we monitor and document changes to your oral health so that we can address problems early instead of waiting until they worsen.
General Dentists in Albertville, Alabama
While it may seem that some people are just lucky to have healthy teeth, luck has little to do with it. Instead, it has more to do with genes and how we treat our teeth. Through consistent preventive care and personal lifestyle choices, you can protect your teeth and gums, no matter what genetics say. Our experienced dental team at our Albertville dental office can help you maintain a bright, healthy smile. Contact Wall Street Dentistry at (256) 878-0525 to schedule an appointment or contact us today.
