re: Good teeth...is it genetic?

quote:

---

I have slightly acidic saliva and my dentist tells me that it helps keep at bay the usual build-up of plaque and tartar that occurs even with consistent hygiene.

---

Have you had your saliva tested? I mean who actually knows this.

It's definitely genetic. I always went to the dentist growing up, but once I got to college I became lazy and never went. I probably went almost 6 years without going. Started up again and not a single issue from taking that 6 year break. Dentist actually told me I did a good job especially for never going to a dentist. I've never had a cavity or a hint at a cavity. I have some receding gum issues that lead to sensitivity, but I've had that my entire life even when I always went to the dentist.

My cousin the dentist has observed a genetic component to some dental properties.

His Dad and mine (brothers) were part of 9 kids that survived to adulthood, their relatives were also mostly from large families. Since the extended family has remained mostly in a small geographic area, my Dentist cousin treats us all and has noticed all the members from the male lineage ALL have the same conditions (most of us share a common oral surgeon for the same reason).

I kinda feel bad for the few distant (geographically) relations. We get preventative care/maintenance and have known outcomes based on the shared experiences while they stumble and experiment. (Like before my cousin went into practice my Dad used to fly to a surgeon in New Orleans to get his mandible scraped surgically and only has like 4 teeth left. Now we next generation get minor procedures to clean just below the gum line instead and have all our teeth.)

Food Babe bullshite.

And yes teeth are genetic. My wife is obsessed with oral hygiene. I'm talking one of those people that will brush after lunch sometimes, keeps floss and mouth wash travel size things in her purse, etc.

And she has had a ton of cavities in her life. Same with her parents and sister.

quote:

---

Good teeth...is it genetic

---

yes

quote:

---

never have brushed at night

---

Yuck Mouth!!

quote:

---

And yes teeth are genetic.

---

No, just no.

quote:

---

My wife is obsessed with oral hygiene.

---

You can have the best oral hygiene known to man and still have tooth decay.

quote:

---

And she has had a ton of cavities in her life.

---

I bet that she has either a medical condition (Gastric reflux) or some habit (sipping on soft drinks, candy) or takes a medication (adderall, antihistamines, blood pressure meds for example) that dries her mouth and predisposes to tooth decay.

Tooth decay is about acid and how long that the teeth are exposed to an acid environment. If the teeth are in acidic conditions for more hours than in more optimal ph (above 5.5)the teeth will be prone to decay since the teeth will demineralize more than remineralize. The opposite is also true.

We also know that dental decay is an infectious disease that is transmitted from the mother to the children. You also inherit your mother's habits as well. If mom brushes and flosses, doesn't eat cariogenic crap all day, goes to the dentist for regular check ups, chances are the children will do this as well and have good oral health.

Genetics like everything else in life. People who've never put a cigarette in their mouth die of lung cancer at 45 and others smoke their entire lives and hit 75-80 years old, if not longer in some cases.