Every person has a hereditary genetic code, specific DNA sequences passed on from parents to their children. Genetics affects every aspect of our being, from the color of our eyes and hair to our ability (or inability) to roll our tongues. Genetics can make us more or less susceptible to developing certain health problems, and they can have a big impact on our oral health.
Yes, genetics and dental health are connected. A person's genetics has an effect on oral health in a variety of ways, including:
Genetics also plays a role in a person's risk for developing certain oral health problems, such as:
Routine dental examinations, professional teeth cleanings, and preventative dental care (such as fluoride applications, dental sealants, and interceptive orthodontics) can help ensure the early detection and diagnosis of any potential oral health problems that your child might encounter.
It can also be helpful for parents to talk with our dentists about their own oral health history. Any issues that a child's parents have encountered could potentially increase the risk of a child experiencing the same or similar issues.
While genetics creates a baseline of oral health and predispositions to developing certain oral health issues, they are not the only factor in determining your child's oral health. Inherited behaviors such as oral hygiene habits, nutritional habits, lifestyle habits, and a child's environment can also significantly impact a child's oral health.
As a result, regardless of your child's genetic predisposition for optimal or less-than-optimal oral health, helping them develop healthy habits can curb the effect of their genetic makeup, giving them a better chance at developing a strong foundation of oral health.
Living a healthy lifestyle will promote overall better health, helping to support good oral health, too. By keeping the body and its immune system strong, your child will also enjoy better oral health, stronger teeth, and healthy gums.
As your child grows and develops, you'll encounter new oral health situations and have new questions. Of course, our pediatric dentists will always be here to answer your questions and provide you with personalized recommendations to help support your child's oral health and oral development.
In addition to our dentist for kids, the following resources can help to guide you along the way, keep you in the know, provide you with tools that can make oral hygiene fun for your child, and ensure you have all of the information you need to help you raise your child into an adult with good oral health.
Bookmark these pages for quick reference in the future:
We can't control the genetics that we pass onto our children or how those genetics might impact our children's teeth, but we can commit to taking a proactive approach to our children's dental care and oral health. By being aware of how your child's genetics might impact their oral health and development, you can work with our pediatric dentists to address any hereditary dental issues before they cause advanced, complex problems for your child's health.
At Hines Little Smiles Pediatric Dentistry, our dentists are committed to taking a highly personalized and conservative, yet proactive, approach to our patients' dental care, and we work closely with parents to identify the earliest signs of potential oral health problems to provide you with a variety of treatment options and recommendations designed to keep your child as healthy as possible.
To learn more about how genetics might impact your child's oral health or to request an appointment with our pediatric dentist in Columbus and New Albany, we welcome you to contact Hines Little Smiles Pediatric Dentistry today.
Call 614-475-5439 or request an appointment online to set up your first visit. We’ll be in touch soon.
