{"id":448,"date":"2022-10-13T23:35:49","date_gmt":"2022-10-13T23:35:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.capronparkdental.com\/blog\/?p=448"},"modified":"2022-11-14T23:36:38","modified_gmt":"2022-11-14T23:36:38","slug":"are-bad-teeth-genetic-3-oral-conditions-your-child-might-inherit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.capronparkdental.com\/blog\/are-bad-teeth-genetic-3-oral-conditions-your-child-might-inherit\/","title":{"rendered":"Are Bad Teeth Genetic? 3 Oral Conditions Your Child Might Inherit"},"content":{"rendered":"
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There are plenty of things you’d probably love to pass on to your child. They might be material things, like a home, or they might be abstract, like good moral character. In either case, something you’d probably prefer not to pass on would be gum disease or tooth decay. Yet according to dental science, you very well might.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Knowing which diseases your child might inherit can make a huge difference in the chances of those diseases affecting them seriously later in life. If you’re wondering whether bad teeth might run in the family, here’s a quick rundown of the conditions where genetics might play a role.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Gum Disease<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Brushing and flossing are deeply important, in no small part because of their role in deterring gum disease. It can be very easy for bacteria to sneak under the gum line, leading to an infection. The trouble is that many people are genetically predisposed to suffer from the disease. For such people, the number of good bacteria that naturally occur in the mouth is outweighed by the bad. Infections like periodontitis can lead to gum irritation and tooth decay if they become severe, so if you\u2019ve suffered from gum disease in the past, you should be on the lookout for symptoms in your child.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Crooked or Discolored Teeth<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Your genetics contribute massively to the natural shape and color of your teeth. If you needed braces as a teenager, your child probably will too. Moreover, if you\u2019ve found that your teeth stain unusually quickly, you may have thinner enamel than the average person. This could be due to age or bad hygiene, but it can also be genetic (and therefore heritable<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oral Cancer<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Oral cancer takes the lives of thousands of Americans every year. As is often the case with cancer, having had it in your family increases your likelihood of contracting the disease yourself. While not contributing as much as other risk factors like alcohol or tobacco, genetics can play an important role.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What You Can Do<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If your child is predisposed to any of these conditions, you shouldn\u2019t panic. After all, genes don\u2019t absolutely determine that they\u2019ll have problems with their teeth. In nearly every case, oral hygiene will make a bigger difference in their outcomes. With that in mind, here are a few things you can do for your child to better their chances:<\/p>\n\n\n\n