DNA affects everything from our skin and hair color to our height and shoe size, but it can also affect how brilliant of a smile we have. That’s because when it comes to your oral health, your own family history might play a role. In addition to your own oral health habits and lifestyle factors, your own genetics can also impact your oral health.
Your family history can determine having overcrowded or crooked teeth, gum disease, oral cancer, and tooth decay. The size of your jaw is determined genetically, which determines how your teeth come in and puts you at risk for overcrowded or crooked teeth. People with a history of diabetes in their family often have a higher risk of developing gum disease. While there are many outside factors in the development of oral cancer, genetics plays a role, and it’s important to be screened at the dentist frequently if this is the case so that you can catch it early. For some people, even if they brush their teeth twice a day and floss regularly, they can still get cavities, which can be connected to genetics.
Additionally, we learn behaviors from the people we’re raised by. Caregivers with good oral hygiene habits can pass that down to their children so that it sticks with them for life, allowing them to have good oral health for life.
Consider your family’s smiles and what that might mean for you. Take the measures appropriate for how your family history impacts your oral health so that you can be as healthy as possible!
Discussion Questions
Can genetics influence the health of your smile?
Why is it important to have a good oral health routine?
Is your oral health similar to your family members’ oral health? How is it similar and how is it different?