Genetics plays a role in our overall health, often to blame for the best or undesirable parts of ourselves. We sometimes playfully discuss that genetics are to blame for health concerns, while others jokingly attribute their genetics to how they’re aging gracefully or certain personality traits. 

Yes, genetics does play a role in our overall health, but does it play a role in your risk of cavities? Keep reading to learn whether genetics are to blame or to thank when it comes to oral health, specifically cavities.

Cavities Are Genetic

Cavities are decay in the teeth that damage the enamel thanks to acids attacking the minerals on the enamel or plaque that has formed on or between the teeth. Whether you have frequent cavities or have never had one, you can likely thank or blame genetics for that. Therefore, if your family members have frequent cavities, you’re more susceptible to developing cavities.

Though cavities can form from poor oral hygiene, inadequate brushing, and other things, genetics can be to blame for your susceptibility to cavities. How? Below are some genetic makeups that play a role in your risk of cavities:

Saliva

Did you know your saliva does more than keep your mouth moist? It’s made of 99% water mixed with mucus, enzymes, antibodies, and other things to maintain oral health and help digestion. While saliva production keeps our mouths moist and comfortable, it also helps protect teeth by neutralizing acids that can cause tooth decay and weaken enamel. Saliva also helps prevent dry mouth and bad breath and breaks down food in the mouth to make digestion easier.

Genetics affect how well your saliva neutralizes acids or protects enamel. How? If your family produces less saliva or has a higher pH level, it’s probably passed down to you. This can affect how well your saliva remineralizes enamel or washes away food particles. Dry mouth is to blame for increased bacteria in the mouth, and is a genetic condition. However, on the flip side, if your family doesn’t have dry mouth or isn’t very prone to cavities, your saliva is most likely helping to protect your teeth thanks to genetics!

Tooth Structure

Genetics plays a role in tooth structure, often passing down certain aspects, like the thickness of enamel or crowded or misaligned teeth. Individuals with thin, weaker enamel may pass that gene down to their children or relatives. Likewise, those with thick or strong enamel may pass that gene down. Whatever the case, genetics affects tooth size and shape, enamel strength, cleft lip and palate, tooth spacing, and saliva production.

Tooth structure affects cavity susceptibility, often affecting someone’s likelihood of developing cavities. Thin or weak enamel is more vulnerable to decay and cavities, and overcrowding can harbor more bacteria and plaque. 

Immunity

Do your immediate family members have a strong immune system? If so, you likely have a strong immune system that fights bacteria and illness better than some people. Immunity can be genetic and can also affect your gums and teeth. Those with stronger immune systems can fight bacteria in the mouth, while those with weaker immune systems have difficulty fighting bacteria, putting them at risk of cavities.

Family Habits

Did you know that family habits can also affect your susceptibility to developing cavities? They aren’t genetic, but family habits can affect your daily habits. For example, if your family brushes regularly with fluoride toothpaste and flosses and limits sugary foods, you probably do too. However, you may not have developed those habits if you grew up in a household that didn’t brush or floss regularly or ate foods high in sugar. Poor oral hygiene increases your risk of developing cavities, making it crucial to ditch unhealthy habits.

Other Things to Blame for Cavities

While genetics and cavities are directly linked, there are some other things to blame for cavities. The following also affects your susceptibility to developing cavities:

  • A diet high in sugary and starchy foods
  • Poor oral hygiene (lack of brushing and flossing)
  • Medications
  • Acidic drinks and foods
  • Teeth grinding (bruxism)
  • Gum recession
  • Not visiting the dentist regularly
  • Lack of hydration

Visiting your family dentist regularly can prevent cavities. Your hygienist and dentist will provide a full cleaning and exam of your teeth, offering recommendations for cavity prevention and how you can help manage your susceptibility despite genetics and cavities.

Schedule an Appointment with Rhoades Family Dentistry Today

Do you get frequent cavities? Rhoades Family Dentistry provides dental care for the whole family and can help with frequent cavities, recommending solutions for high cavity susceptibility. Dr. Hahn and Dr. Driscoll care about your entire family’s oral health and are here to help. Our staff is dedicated to your whole family’s oral health and goes above and beyond, offering exceptional dental care, services, and treatments for patients of all ages.

Book an appointment today by scrolling up and clicking “BOOK AN APPOINTMENT” on the top left of your screen or by calling (913) 782-8900. We look forward to serving you by providing excellent dental care and giving your family healthy smiles!