Peoria, IL Dentist Discusses Hereditary Factors
It’s a common occurrence for people to blame their poor oral health on their family, but is it a legitimate complaint? Many patients like to express how their parents or siblings also have bad teeth. People feel that if their family members lost their teeth, that they are doomed to the same fate. Actually, this isn’t true at all.
There are numerous people out there that have all their teeth, even though their family lost all theirs and vice versa. There’s no evidence to suggest that bad teeth run in the family.
Hereditary Factors
With that said, there are some hereditary factors that might contribute to poor dental health. Most often, it’s the dental care habits that lead to an unhealthy mouth, not the hereditary factors. Things like not brushing or flossing correctly are the number one reason people suffer from dental ailments. Aside from that, you also have unhealthy snacking occurring or stress-related injuries from grinding and clenching the teeth.
Periodontal disease is the number one reason that adults lose their teeth and it has nothing to do with genetics. It is caused by a lack of good oral hygiene. The bacteria build up under the gums and lead to inflamed, irritated gums. Thankfully, bad teeth can be prevented by taking the time to care properly for your teeth. You don’t have to let your family’s history become yours as well.
You have all the tools that you need to create healthy teeth. Make sure you:
• Brush your teeth twice daily with fluoride toothpaste.
• Floss daily.
• Eat good foods.
• Drink lots of water.
• Visit the dentist twice a year for an exam and cleaning.
Build a Strong Mouth
Once your teeth or gums begin to deteriorate, it’s much more complicated to correct. Prevention is key and needs to be taken seriously. Pay close attention to your dental routine to ensure you are following everything that’s vital. Then, have a conversation with our Peoria, IL dentist about how you can build strong teeth. The two of you can ensure that you don’t have bad teeth as your family did.
Schedule an appointment by calling (309) 688-7321 today and picking the best date and time for your visit to Dr. Whitson. We're here to give you the healthiest and strongest smile possible!
