As a dental hygienist for the last 7 years, I’ve heard plenty of reasons about why people don’t take care of their teeth. Most patients are well-meaning, but life gets in the way. I’m a mom and wife, with a career to attend to and plenty of laundry and grocery shopping to do as well. Trust me, I understand the lack of time that goes along with a busy life. Dental providers are people too, we know the stress of day to day routines, and not even we have perfect homecare.
There is one excuse that has to be dispelled though, as it’s a common one that takes all responsibility and opportunity away from the patient. We hear it so often as dental providers that we are quick to dismiss it without often explaining why it doesn’t have to apply.
“I have cavities/gum disease because my mom/dad had them/it.”
Actually, yes, you do….and no, you don’t.
And here’s why.
I’m blond because my grandparents were blond, and I have green eyes because my mother has green eyes.
My grandparents on both sides have heart disease, but I do not.
My parents are both afflicted by cavities and gum disease, but I am not.
Your genetics predisposes you, it does not condemn you.
My teeth look like my mom’s, but they are not undergoing the same problems because of how I care for them. Our genetic predisposition means that we have a compilation of our family DNA, and we are more susceptible to certain diseases and afflictions because of how our bodies react to certain bacterias and environments. We have been given the DNA and bacteria we grow up with by our parents, which we cannot help. What we can help is how we care for our bodies, which determines how they thrive or break down.
In short, if I don’t want heart disease, I probably shouldn’t eat a pound of bacon every day, because my body is more susceptible to heart disease.
And likewise, if I don’t want cavities and gum disease, I need to make sure I remove harmful bacteria regularly from my mouth, because my mouth is more susceptible to cavities and gum disease.
Tooth decay is 60% affected by genetic risk factors. The other 40% is the environment you expose your teeth to. Periodontal (gum) disease is 40-80% affected by genetic risk factors. The remaining 20-60% is the environment you leave your gum tissue in. These numbers prove that yes, your genetics play a role, but no, they are not the only factor. You have an opportunity every day to drink the soda or to choose water, to eat the candy or the apple, to floss or let the bacteria buildup on your teeth. YOU are in control, this means something wonderful…you CAN keep your teeth for life. You are not at the mercy of your DNA, you just have to learn your risk factors and manage them.
Your dentist and dental hygienist are your ultimate partners in this journey. Tell us your family’s dental history, be explicit with your own medical history and we will tell you what your risks are and what you can do to combat them. We want success for you and we are here to assist you in every way possible.
S. Paige Tscherpel, RDH, BSDH
Consulted sources include:
http://www.cnn.com/2014/07/03/health/tooth-decay-causes/
http://www.rdhmag.com/articles/print/volume-20/issue-1/feature/genetics-periodontal-disease.html