As a child, did your parents tell you that too much candy would rot your teeth? Did they keep fruit juices and sodas off the menu for the same reasons? Mom and Dad know best. Sugars are the biggest factor in developing cavities. What they did not tell you is that genetics also impacts our oral health, including cavity formation. Some people are genetically predisposed to them.

Cavities are the biggest dental issue in the world. It can affect children or adults of any age, even burdening people who maintain pristine oral hygiene when genetics come into play.

If you wonder why your friend can eat sweets and never see a bit of tooth decay while you get a cavity just thinking about Reese’s cups, genes could very well be going against you. A 2016 research study determined that about 60% of the cavities we get are caused by genetic factors.

Does this mean that all hope is lost? Should you just accept that cavities are part of your smile? Not at all. You can and should fight back against cavities!

What is a Cavity?

Most people know what a cavity is, but not much else. Some people refer to cavities as tooth decay. By both names, cavities eat away at the enamel of a tooth. Enamel is the white covering we see when we smile. It is hard and protects the teeth from injury.

Our mouths produce bacteria. The bacteria turn into acid if not removed. The acid immediately begins eating the sugar left on our teeth and wears down the enamel in the process. When the enamel is worn down, cavities occur and it can lead to even worse problems, including toothaches and pain, infections, and tooth extraction.

Brushing and flossing our teeth, visiting the dentist regularly, and monitoring the food we eat are generally enough to keep tooth decay at bay, but if you find cavities forming despite taking all the right steps, it is time to talk to your dentist. Genetics could very well be posing trouble for your oral health.

Your dentist knows exactly what to do to protect your teeth. He can recommend toothpaste and other products or procedures to protect your oral health, but only if you address the concerns with him promptly.

How Genetics Affects Cavities

Factors such as the strength of your tooth enamel, saliva production, and the shape of your teeth are genetically predisposed to you. When you have strong enamel, your teeth are better protected from bacteria that form in the microbiome inside your mouth. We produce saliva that affects the bacteria balance in our mouth. If the balance is off, it can cause cavities.  The size and shape of your teeth also impact cavities, since this can make it easier or more difficult to clean.

• Enamel is your teeth’s best protection against tooth decay. Enamel can be too soft or too hard, which increases the risk of cavities, even when you brush daily. 
• We need saliva in our mouths. It keeps our mouths moist, but just as important, it works to neutralize harmful bacteria and acids that form in our mouths. Genes affect the amount of saliva you produce and what’s inside. Some people do not produce enough protective enzymes in their saliva to wash away all the harmful bacteria and acids that form in a person’s mouth.
• Our mouths contain good and bad bacteria. Genetics affect how many of each we get in our mouths. People who host more harmful bacteria are more prone to cavities.
• Crowded or uneven teeth make it hard to brush and floss between the teeth, where bacteria accumulate most. Improper brushing due to tooth shape can impact cavity formation.

People whose parents experienced frequent cavities are at a greater risk of developing them. However, this does not guarantee that you will get them. The other 40% of your habits can decrease the risk of developing a cavity.

My SE Calgary dentist Dr. Ravanbakhsh explained that while my genes make me more likely to develop cavities, I can fight back and keep my beautiful pearly whites decay-free if I am proactive with my oral hygiene.

So even when genetics are not in your favor, you can fight back. You can keep your teeth healthy and at their best.

Maintain a healthy diet with limited sugary sweets and drinks. Brush your teeth twice each day and floss daily. Dental visits should always be a top priority in your life. The ADA recommends visiting the dentist twice yearly to minimize oral health problems, including cavities.

If you do not address your oral concerns with your dentist, how do you expect the problems to get treated? Your dentist is there to help keep your mouth and teeth healthy. Discuss your genetic concerns with your dentist. Additional procedures could be available to aid you in maintaining a cavity-free smile.

Who is Prone to Genetic Cavities?

People who fit into the following categories may be genetically predisposed to cavities:

• Family history of cavities/oral health problems
• Frequent cavities as a child, even with good oral hygiene
• Your dentist determines whether you have soft or hard enamel
• You have overcrowded teeth or other alignment concerns
• You have low saliva production or experience frequent dry mouth

If the criteria above apply to your situation, talk to your dentist. The professional knows the perfect remedy to keep your mouth healthy despite the increased risks. Dentists can recommend special toothpaste and steps that keep cavities at bay and benefit your oral health needs.

• Use a special toothpaste designed for enhanced cavity protection.
• Visit your dentist twice annually.
• Consider dental procedures that may improve overcrowding or other oral health issues and decrease the risk of cavities.
• Drink water frequently throughout the day, especially after consuming a meal. Water helps flush bacteria and acid from the teeth.

Genetics & Cavities: You Can Win The Battle For a Healthy Smile

Our smiles are one of our most important possessions. People notice our mouths and teeth before anything else about us. If other people see cavities, decay, and other issues, they tend to judge us. If you want to keep a beautiful, healthy, cavity-free smile when genetics isn’t on your side, you can make a difference by making smart oral hygiene choices. Brush and floss daily, visit your dentist regularly, avoid cavity-causing habits, and limit the sugary foods and drinks you consume to keep your teeth healthy and decay-free.

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