The biggest contributor to your oral health is your daily dental care. However, understanding how your genetics affects your mouth allows you to build good healthcare habits so you can avoid problems in the future.

To help you better understand how your genetics affect your oral health, and what you can do to make sure to keep your mouth healthy, we’re going to cover the genetic conditions that can impact our teeth.

Enamel & Dentin weakness

Girl Brushing Teeth

We often take strong teeth for granted. For most people, the enamel that makes up the exterior layer of our teeth is the hardest human tissue. However, this is not true for everyone. Various conditions cause issues with teeth enamel or the dentin that the enamel protects. This can cause weak teeth that need extra care.

People with Amelogenesis imperfecta (AI) or hypoplasia have significantly weaker tooth enamel, while Dentinogenesis imperfecta causes weaker teeth by disrupting the development of dentin, the inner layer of a tooth.

This can lead to increased decay in teeth or even malformed or missing teeth.

If you think that you suffer from weak teeth:

  • Avoid acidic and sugary foods or drinks 
  • Talk to your dentist about dental sealants and fluoride treatments

Salivary Dysfunction

Saliva is one of the unsung heroes of oral health. It works to wash bits of food and bacteria off our teeth, neutralizing acids produced by bacteria and delivering minerals to remineralize teeth.

 But, for some of us, the salivary gland doesn’t work as well, leading to salivary dysfunction.

This can lead to dry mouth, which increases the risk of cavities, gum disease, and other oral health problems. 

If you suffer from salivary dysfunction:

  • Drink plenty of water
  • Avoid alcohol and tobacco
  • Use saliva substitutes or stimulants to alleviate dry mouth symptoms

Good oral care trumps all

While it’s easy to blame our genetics for our troubles, the truth is most cavities and oral problems don’t stem from our genetics. In fact, the solution to most oral problems is to brush your teeth at least twice a day with a soft bristle brush, floss and see your dentist for regular checkups. 

So, maintain your oral care regime and make sure to see your dentist regularly.