Your genetics can affect your health and behavior for many years to come. Knowing your health history is an important part of taking care of yourself as it can help you catch certain diagnoses before they progress. Genetics can affect your oral health into adulthood. Some adults are more prone to oral issues like gum disease or cavities for a variety of reasons, which we will discuss in this blog.

Mendelian Inheritance

Most genetic traits and diseases are passed through Mendelian Inheritance patterns. Each child inherits one chromosome from each parent so if they receive the chromosome with that disease or dominance of a certain type, it will develop in their lifetime. 

Some chromosomal and genetic diseases are recessive, which means that even if a parent has this gene or chromosome, the child may not get it. Some conditions need to be present in both X and Y chromosomes to present in a child, others will only need to exist on one chromosome. Because of this, some children may have oral health concerns while others in the same family may not. 

Genetic Roles In Oral Health

Genetics can play a role in the shape of your teeth, the bacteria in your mouth, and the enamel that coats your teeth. Some people are born with smoother teeth or may not produce enough saliva. Here are some genes that can most affect your oral health. 

Saliva Production

The gene for saliva production is Aquaporin 5, which is a protein that aids in saliva production, tears, and pulmonary secretions. It helps allow water to pass through cell membranes at a rapid rate. When your Aquaporin 5 gene is affected, your salvia production may be lower than others. Saliva helps keep your mouth and teeth clean while limiting bacterial growth. 

Enamel Hardness

Many genes and proteins contribute to the building of tooth enamel. These include ameloblastin, tuftelin 1, and tuftelin-interacting protein 11. The protein of Ameloblastin is crucial in elongating the enamel crystals during tooth formation. Amelogenin which is located on the X chromosome is responsible for the production of other proteins that help in tooth development.

Biofilm Formation

Another important gene or protein is Mucin 5. This is a gel-like substance that binds to inhaled bacteria or other pathogens to prevent them from spreading. Mucin helps to protect your tissues and your teeth from small microorganisms that cause gum issues or cavities. Overproduction of this substance though can also contribute to other diseases like asthma. 

Teeth Formation And Shapes

Genetics plays the biggest role in how your teeth are shaped. The size of the tooth, the placement of teeth, and the grooves are all developed thanks to your genetics. Some people are born with deeper grooves than others. Adults could develop larger teeth that are close together, making it more difficult to floss. The alignment of your teeth is also important when your wisdom teeth start to come in as well. Those with larger teeth or misaligned teeth can need more extractions or orthodontic work. The shape and development of your teeth could lead to more cavities or more frequent dental visits.

Family History Of Gum Disease

Just like other health conditions (cancer, heart disease, asthma, etc.) gum disease can be passed down to future generations. Those with a history of periodontitis may be predisposed to developing gum disease. These individuals will need to stay on top of their dental exams, flossing, and other oral health behaviors to prevent further risk. 

Other genetic factors or passed down behavior traits like sleep apnea, teeth grinding, smoking, snacking, or missed dental exams can also lead to bad oral health.

Oral Health Help From Sunset Dental

Sunset Dental provides preventative and proactive dental services in Utah. Our team focuses on dental cleanings and fillings but also offers protective mouthguards, dentures, bridges, extractions, and more. Finding a dentist you trust will make seeking oral care more attainable. Our dentists and hygienists will listen to your concerns and do all we can to help you love your smile.

We want to protect your whole family’s oral health, so our services are friendly for children, teens, and adults. Our entire staff is dedicated to ensuring you have a safe and comfortable experience while in our office. Reach out to Sunset Dental and schedule an appointment. Take control of your oral health today!

The challenges of everyday life can cause a high amount of stress for many people. Jobs, children, finances, family life, social responsibilities, living situations, cars, and other factors can lead to stress. While it is almost impossible to completely remove stress or worry from our modern life, we can learn to manage it to maintain our health. Stress can cause physical and mental problems that will affect how we handle future challenges. 

One aspect that stress can affect is dental health. Anxious thoughts, limited sleep, and constant worry will change your oral composition if not handled quickly. Below, we will share some common issues that stress can cause and how to better manage stress to result in better dental health. 

Issues The Stress Causes In The Mouth

High amounts of stress can present in physical ailments. Limiting anxiety and worry will not only help you feel better equipped to handle challenging situations but will improve your overall health. Here are some of the most common dental problems caused by stress in the body. 

Teeth Grinding

Stress or anxiety can cause people to grind their teeth, whether awake or asleep. This is one of the most prevalent oral issues when stress is present in your life. Teeth grinding, also known as Bruxism causes tooth wear, fractures, TMJ disorders, cavities, jaw pain, and more. While grinding your teeth may not result in dental problems early on, over the years it will lead to significant damage, if not dealt with properly. 

Neglecting Oral Hygiene

When our brains are filled with worries or prevalent life challenges it can affect how we take care of ourselves. Stressful periods can cause us to neglect self-care, personal hygiene, diet, and sleep. Skipping regular brushing and flossing can lead to a higher risk of cavities, gum disease, and tooth decay. 

Dry Mouth

Stress can change your saliva production which can lead to dry mouth. A dry mouth can lead to cavities or gum disease because there is less saliva to help neutralize bacteria. Saliva helps to rinse out food particles and acids that can impact your teeth. Reduced saliva causes cavities, bad breath, and gingivitis. 

Managing Stress To Better Oral Care

If any of these issues sound like something you are experiencing, you may benefit from limiting stress in your life. Here are some tips to help improve your oral health in the midst of stress. 

Eat A Balanced Diet

Choosing the right foods can help improve all aspects of your life. Proper nutrition provides essential vitamins that improve your mental and physical stamina. Limit alcohol, sugar, caffeine, acidic foods, and processed food if you are struggling with stress. 

Stay Hydrated

Staying hydrated is important for your oral health as it helps to clean your mouth and provide your body with proper hydration. Keeping your body hydrated allows it to communicate with your brain effectively and grow vital organs. Oral health is improved when you drink plenty of water as it limits dry mouth, gum disease, and bacteria growth.

Utilize A Mouthguard

If teeth grinding is how your body manifests stress, you could benefit from a mouthguard. Wearing a night guard will limit damage to the tops of your teeth and limit jaw issues. Consulting your dentist can help find a mouth guard that works best for your teeth and your daily situations. 

Seek Help From A Dentist And Therapist

For severe cases, working with your dentist and a therapist can help you find a better balance in your life. Stress can become very overwhelming and lead to mental health concerns. Working with a therapist can help you better manage stress that could cause your oral health to deteriorate. 

Better Oral Health From Sunset Dental

Our dental office wants to help everyone in our community have better dental health. Sunset Dental offers general dental services, cosmetic dentistry, and dental cleanings. We hope that all of our patients feel comfortable and safe when visiting Sunset Dental. If you are looking for a trusted dentist in your area, we are the top choice for new patients. Sunset Dental is happy to add more members to our family while providing them with improved dental health. Reach out to our team to improve your smile today!

Keeping our teeth strong into adulthood is largely dependent on our diet. Eating the right foods helps improve your health in all aspects, but certain food groups help strengthen teeth. Eating healthy foods will help you avoid gum disease, cavities, tooth decay, and sensitive teeth. Here are some of the top foods that have been shown to have great results in strengthening your teeth. 

1- Milk Or Cheese

Foods that are full of calcium, including dairy, are often used to help repair tooth enamel. Milk, cheese, yogurt, and even plant-based milk are a great source of calcium. Sesame seeds, almonds, left greens, and beans are other options for calcium if you are not a fan of dairy foods. 

2- Vitamin C Foods 

There are many foods that are high in vitamin C, which provides a lot of health benefits for the body. vitamin C helps your immune system, cardiovascular health, and wound healing, and is an antioxidant. It is vital for connective tissue, bone, and tooth health. This is why vitamin C is helpful, because not only does it help fight off bacteria, but it strengthens your jaw bones and connective tissues. 

Foods high in vitamin C include:

• Guavas
• Yellow Peppers
• Oranges
• Black Currants
• Cantaloupe
• Spinach
• Kale
• Broccoli
• Kiwis
• Lemons
• Lychees
• Strawberries
• Brussels sprouts

3- Fish

Many types of fish are full of omega-3s and vitamin D, both of which help the body to absorb more calcium. Eating fish can help strengthen your teeth by increasing the amount of calcium that is getting to your teeth. When your body doesn’t have enough calcium, it starts to break down the calcium in your bones and teeth. This can lead to tooth decay, sensitivity, and broken teeth. 

Fish is one of the few foods that actually contains vitamin D. Eating more fish or taking Vitamin D supplements can help you improve your calcium levels to strengthen your teeth. 

4- Whole Grains

Whole-grain foods are good for your dental health. Chewing on nuts or seeds will help scrape lingering plaque from your teeth. Nuts and seeds can also contain folic acid, vitamin D, and protein.

Try some of the options below:

• Almonds
• Cashews
• Poppy seeds
• Sunflower seeds
• Sesame seeds

5- Water

Drinking water is the best way to keep your body functioning. Water helps to clean your mouth and reduce plaque that can lead to cavities. Drinking at least 8 glasses of water a day will also help limit problems like dry mouth, bad breath, gum disease, and more. Swap your sugary drinks or coffee for more water to help limit staining or deterioration. 

If you are going to have wine with dinner or drink soda during the day, try following it with a glass of water to help rinse out oral bacteria. Drinking water helps you produce more saliva that helps clean your mouth throughout the day. 

6- Green Tea

Green tea has a lot of research on its benefits in fighting diseases. Green tea has antioxidants that help prevent plaque from sticking to your teeth and some options may contain fluoride that will fortify your tooth enamel. 

Other black tees also provide similar benefits but is less bitter than green tea. Try a milder tea to still gain some benefits for your teeth. 

Limiting the amount of plaque sitting on your teeth helps to strengthen them and prevent breakage. Plaque eats away at your enamel which protects the more sensitive parts of your tooth (nerves, tissue, etc.) 

7- Protein Rich Foods

The body uses protein to repair worn-out tissues, so increasing the amount of protein in your diet helps improve bone and tooth strength. Eggs, meat, beans, leafy greens, tofu, and nuts are all sources of protein that can help. 

Protein also helps level out the pH in your mouth and is responsible for cavities or gum disease. Foods with phosphorus are crucial for your overall health as it is found in your bones, cell membranes, and your blood pH. 

Strengthen Teeth With Sunset Dental Care

Sunset Dental is one of the best dentists in Utah. We want to help patients of all ages and backgrounds love their smiles. Your teeth go through a lot and help us with important tasks like talking, eating, and smiling. Losing your teeth is a very traumatic event, which is why proper dental cleanings are needed at least once a year.

Our team is happy to offer a state-of-the-art dental facility that helps patients feel safe. We use the highest quality tools and techniques to treat all kinds of dental issues. Our dentists and hygienists look forward to talking with you and learning about your health history.