Just as certain medical conditions can be hereditary, so can certain dental diseases. Each of us
has a unique genetic makeup, and our genes in combination with our environment play a huge
role in what constitutes our everyday health.

When it comes to oral diseases, there are a few conditions that can negatively affect your
dental health that research has suggested are hereditary. It’s possible that you could have
inherited the following oral health conditions.

Gum Disease

If one of your parents has a history of gum disease, you’re more likely to have the disease as
well. Even if you take good care of your teeth, your genetic makeup may predispose you to
developing periodontal disease [1].

Visiting your dentist for regular checkups combined with proper oral care habits at home can
help you prevent gum disease and maintain your smile. Gum disease is progressive, so ignoring
the condition isn’t an option without consequences.

Oral Cancer

Although oral cancer hasn’t been proven to be passed down from parent to child, it’s possible
that with a family history of oral cancer that you contain genes that make you more likely to get
the disease.

It’s important to tell your dentist if you have a known family history of cancer, especially oral
cancer. Fortunately, by getting oral cancer screenings with your professional dentist—which are
painless and can be life-saving—you can catch oral cancer early.

Other risk factors of oral cancer include tobacco use, alcohol abuse, and having an unhealthy
diet [2].

Tooth Decay

Some people are more likely to have tooth enamel that contains defects which can be the
result of genetics, according to research [3]. Although the development of tooth enamel is
affected by both genes and environment, it may help to know that if your parents have weak
tooth enamel that you might as well.

With softer tooth enamel, you’re more likely to suffer from cavities. When tooth enamel is
missing on parts of your teeth, the softer tissues of your tooth are exposed to bacteria that can
lead to tooth decay.

When tooth enamel is beginning to wear away, you may notice a whiter spot on your teeth or
eventually a yellowish hue where the enamel has actually worn away to expose dentin, the
layer underneath enamel.

Are you worried that you may have inherited a health condition that affects your smile? You
may be predisposed to certain oral health problems, but that doesn’t mean that you need to let
your smile succumb to bacteria and decay.

It’s possible to have a healthy smile even with a history of oral disease. Visit your local dentist to learn more about how regular checkups and professional teeth cleanings can help you have the healthiest smile possible!

Sources:
1. https://www.perio.org/consumer/gum-disease-risk-factors
2. https://oralcancerfoundation.org/understanding/risk-factors/
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3267319/

The post Which Dental Diseases May Be Hereditary? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

The causes of tooth discoloration are numerous and may be influenced by an internal or
external factor. Here, we’ll see how tooth enamel can be influenced by several elements to
make your teeth turn an unattractive yellow color.

Certain Foods

One external factor affecting tooth color is certain foods and drinks. Tooth enamel is porous
and can easily be stained, although fortunately, many of these stains are just on the surface and can be removed through regular brushings and professional teeth cleanings.

Coffee, tea, and wine are the worst offenders for making teeth turn a yellow or brownish color, but in truth, any food that has a deep hue has the potential to stain your teeth. These surprising tooth stainers include berries, beets, and tomatoes.

Acidic foods and drinks are also culprits when it comes to staining teeth. The acid in foods such as lemons and drinks such as soda can wear away the tooth enamel, making it easier for staining to occur and also allowing the yellowish color of your dentin—the softer layer beneath your tooth enamel—to come through.

Not Getting Professional Cleanings

Since professional cleanings can remove most surface stains, skipping those dental
appointments can cause buildup of stains and plaque which can result in teeth appearing more yellow. In addition, if you’re not brushing and flossing regularly at home, you’re allowing your teeth to accumulate more stains, plaque, and bacteria that can affect your tooth color.

Getting a professional teeth cleaning at least once a year or as recommended by your dentist can help prevent the build-up of surface stains to prevent your teeth from turning yellow. If you have deeper stains, you dentist may suggest a professional whitening to help remove them.

Antibiotics During Tooth Formation

Your tooth discoloration may be coming from an internal source—for instance, when the dentin turns a brownish yellow color. This typically happens in children who take antibiotics while their teeth are still developing, namely the antibiotics tetracycline or doxycycline.

If you had antibiotics younger than age 8, you may have teeth that are naturally darker. In
addition, women who take antibiotics during their second trimester of pregnancy and later can cause their child to have discolored or darker teeth.

Genetics

Genetics may also affect your tooth color. You may naturally have tooth enamel that’s thinner, which can allow the dentin to show through. This can not only make for weaker teeth that are susceptible to sensitivity and decay, but can also cause teeth to have a yellower appearance.

People who have naturally thicker and stronger tooth enamel may have brighter and healthier teeth. Since tooth enamel can be affected by oral care habits and the foods we eat, genetics is only partially responsible in many cases. Your dentist can help you have a stronger, whiter smile!

Are you worried about your teeth turning yellow? When teeth begin to take on a more
yellowish appearance, it’s time to seek professional help. Contact your dentist today to learn how you can make teeth appear brighter and whiter in just a few simple steps!

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