Do Genes Play A Role In Tooth Decay?

Scientists say the health of your teeth depends on a combination of genetics and dental hygiene. We all know that person who never brushes, eats tons of candy and rarely (if ever) has a cavity. Then there are those of us who floss regularly, yet still end up breathing in the laughing gas once or twice a year.

About 60% of the risk for tooth decay appears to be due to genetic factors.

Though genetic dentistry is still in its infancy, scientists have identified five areas where genes play a role in tooth decay:

Sweet preference

All other factors being equal, the stronger your genetic “sweet preference,” the more likely you are to develop tooth decay.

Tooth enamel

Some people have softer tooth enamel than others. The softer the enamel, the easier it is for bacteria to do their excavation, leading to cavities. Because genes are the primary determinant of enamel structure, they have a big effect on whether you get tooth decay.

Taste ability

“Taste ability” is a measure of the variety of things you can taste — not simply whether you are genetically predisposed to enjoy certain flavors, but also whether you are able to perceive certain flavors. This is a complex process that includes your tongue and is inextricably linked to your sense of smell.

Studies show the greater the variety in your genetic taste ability profile, the less likely you are to develop tooth decay. Whether that’s because more variety leads to fewer sweets, or whether there are other reasons, is not yet clear, but scientists are continuing to study the connection.

Saliva strength

Calcium, potassium and other elements are important for strong healthy teeth that resist tooth decay. But it’s not as simple as eating the right foods; these elements must be properly metabolized to be useful.

Your saliva plays a big part in this process, and scientists have identified gene variants that make some people better at it than others.

Microbiome

There’s a whole field of study called microbial ecology that looks at the various communities of bacteria that live in the human body. In your mouth alone there are separate communities of bacteria on your tongue, on the surface of your teeth and below your gum line. Together, these communities make up what is known as your microbiome.

It’s all perfectly normal. But your body’s immune response to these communities affects, among other things, your risk of developing tooth decay.

What about the other 40%?

If my genes are 60% of cavities, what governs the other 40%?

Soft drinks and fluoride.

OK, that might be a slight exaggeration. The other 40% has to do with environment: diet, brushing frequency, smoking habits, dental care access, culture, even socioeconomic factors, according to Robert J. Weyant, chairman of the University of Pittsburgh’s Department of Dental Public Health.

But so far, the single biggest environmental factor scientists have identified that encourages tooth decay is the consumption of sugary drinks, Weyant said. Any sugary treat can hurt, but sugary drinks are particularly adept at spreading sugar to every corner of your mouth to feed the bacteria that cause decay.

Tea and coffee don’t even rate in comparison. Alcohol is not even on the list. In fact there is very little to suggest that alcoholic drinks have any significant effect on tooth decay.

On the opposite side, the single biggest environmental factor known to protect against tooth decay is fluoride. Get it in your city water supply, get it in your toothpaste, get it in periodic treatments from your dentist, but get it somewhere.

Read the full article at: CNN