Month: May 2023

Guess which is the most chronic disease in the world? It is tooth decay. Studies show that some of us may be more susceptible to developing cavities than others. Almost every single aspect of your oral health is indeed governed to a degree by your genes. As per some research, around 60% of tooth decay risk can be attributed to genetic factors. 

If the dental health of your parents is poor, there is a high chance you will have dental issues too. Our genes control how our teeth develop, and if teeth formation is improper, it lends the enamel less resistance to bacteria.

Things such as your teeth size, the shape of your mouth, and bone structure are all inherited. Crooked teeth formation passes down from generation to generation. But the good news is that good oral care will help you keep your teeth in their best possible condition, irrespective of the kind of teeth you inherit.

Tooth Decay Risk Factors that Have Genetic Links

Certain genetic diseases that can predispose people to develop cavities and other periodontal diseases are outlined below:

• Enamel defects – Enamel is the surface layer of your teeth, and it is considered the hardest mineral substance in our bodies (even stronger than bones). Enamels shield our teeth against tooth decay. Your genes have a critical role to play in the composition of your teeth’s enamel. If you inherit soft enamels, you are more prone to cavities.
• Saliva’s chemical composition – Your saliva keeps your mouth moist and also protects against cavities by properly metabolizing vitamins like iron, calcium, potassium, vitamin c, and other vital minerals. Your saliva’s chemical composition depends on your genes which in turn affects the saliva’s capacity to protect against decay.
• Sugar cravings – Your love for sugar has a genetic basis, so you can blame your parents if you have major sugar cravings. Sugar is not good for our teeth; if you inherit sugar cravings, you are prone to many oral issues.
• Immune response to bacteria – Our immune system is constantly fighting against harmful bacteria in our bodies, including our mouths. These bacteria can cause tooth decay and gum diseases. Your genes determine how stable your immune system is.

Genetic Conditions that Affect Teeth

Listed below are some of the genetic disorders that adversely affect our oral health:

• Amelogenesis Imperfecta – This genetic disorder causes enamel defects and affects the appearance of teeth. People with this disorder might have smaller and discolored teeth, chalky color changes, or grooved or pitted enamel surfaces. 
• Dentinogenesis Imperfecta – If anyone has this genetic disorder, they might develop enamel that appears translucent with a yellow-brown or blue-gray tinge. Teeth are also prone to rapid wear and tear for people with this disorder as the dentin(inner layer of teeth) becomes soft and weak due to this disease.

Disorder in the Development of Teeth

• Ectodermal dysplasia – A human embryo undergoes many changes during its development. Ectoderm (the outermost layer of cells in embryos) forms our teeth, and ectodermal dysplasia affects every structure derived from the ectoderm in our bodies (such as nails, hair, and teeth.) Patients with this disease will suffer from several missing teeth and might have cone-shaped or malformed teeth. This disorder can be diagnosed at very early stages, and children with this problem might need special dentures to replace the many missing teeth.
• Dentinal dysplasia – For our teeth to be fixed strongly in our mouth, we need strong roots. But if you’re losing teeth constantly, even at a young age, you might be suffering from dentinal dysplasia. This disorder hampers the ability of teeth to form roots.
• Hypophosphatasia – This inherited disorder affects the development of teeth as well as bones. By disrupting mineralization (a process that allows minerals like phosphorus and calcium to deposit on our teeth), this disorder weakens our teeth. Cementum is the outer covering of our teeth’s roots, and Hypophosphatasia does not allow cementum formation.
• Vit D-resistant rickets – Vitamin D has a crucial role in teeth development, and you could have oral health problems if you are vitamin D deficient. Vit D-resistant rickets is a genetic condition where infections occur at the root end of teeth without any reason. Due to this, the enamel surface of teeth can develop openings that extend to the dental pulp, where we have blood vessels and nerves. Germs can walk right through the openings and cause rampant decay.

Genetic oral diseases are not so common, and you must talk to your dentist for suitable solutions if you have an abnormal oral condition. Despite genetic disorders that can cause bad teeth, maintaining excellent oral hygiene has a significant role in your oral health.

Everyone wants a beautiful smile, and white teeth give us that dazzling smile to flaunt. But if your teeth are discolored, you become self-conscious in public situations and probably avoid meeting people. But do not despair; if you do not have as white teeth as you would want to, there are various ways of getting perfectly white teeth.

Teeth getting yellow stains or dingy gray is common and can be attributed to many factors, such as eating habits, oral hygiene, and aging. Those who frequently eat and drink stuff like coffee, sweets, wines, etc., are more prone to getting discolored teeth. Apart from going for a professional teeth whitening method, various toothbrushing techniques can help you get sparkling teeth and desired smile. 

Types of Tooth Discoloration

According to dental professionals, there are mainly two types of tooth discoloration:

1. Intrinsic – When stains occur inside the tooth, it is called intrinsic discoloration. The stains are either within the dentin or enamels. These are caused due to genetic disorders, aging, and other issues.
2. Extrinsic – This type of discoloration occurs on the surface of teeth, mainly due to exposure to foods and beverages that are highly pigmented or tobacco. You can use the right toothbrush and brushing techniques to eliminate extrinsic pigmentation.

Tips for Toothbrushing Techniques for White Teeth

Here are some tips to ensure your teeth remain white and you get back your self-confidence while talking to others:

• Choose the right kind of toothbrush – Many of us might not be aware that we can get rid of tooth discoloration issues just by choosing the right one. As per the American Dental Association (ADA), we should use soft-bristled toothbrushes to gently clean and polish our teeth without damaging our gums or enamels. You must choose the right shape and size of your toothbrush to fit inside your mouth and reach all parts of your teeth easily. You could go for electric toothbrushes as they can improve the technique by doing most of the mechanical work for you.
• Brush right – Proper toothbrushing determines how white and clean your teeth look. 
  • Your toothbrush should be at a 45 degrees angle to your gum.
  • Use gentle and short back-and-forth strokes to clean your teeth.
  • Ensure you are covering the entire surface of your teeth and the gums. 
  • Focus on areas that have stains.
  • Brush your tongue to remove any lingering bacteria.
  • Remember to floss the area between your teeth with interdental devices.
  • Brush your teeth at least for two minutes twice a day.
• Replace toothbrush regularly – A toothbrush worn down or frayed cannot clean our teeth. So, if your brush shows signs of wear and tear, buy a new one that can polish your teeth and lift your stains to reveal brighter-looking teeth. So, even if your toothbrush is less than three months old but shows signs of fraying, it is time to throw them.
• Use a whitening toothpaste – You will get the best results if you add a whitening toothpaste to your oral care regime. Whitening toothpaste has abrasive elements such as silica which can scrub a tooth’s surface. Such toothpaste might also have low amounts of carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide. Your dentist could recommend the best whitening toothpaste for your teeth.
• Use whitening pre-rinse – An effective pre-rinse such as hydrogen peroxide can help loosen food particles and other build-ups in your mouth. Pre-rinse makes your brushing more effective.

Methods for Clearing Intrinsic Teeth Stains

• Baking soda and hydrogen peroxide – This is a popular combination for cleaning teeth because it actually works. You should mix one part hydrogen peroxide with two parts baking soda to prepare this solution. Use this mixture to brush your teeth.
• Use a washcloth with hydrogen peroxide – Dip a washcloth in hydrogen peroxide and rub your teeth with it. The peroxide would lighten the stain, and the washcloth would scrub your teeth.

Apart from the brushing techniques you can use at home, if you need quicker resolution for stained teeth, you could opt for professional teeth whitening services. The expertise of a qualified dentist and customized treatment will help you meet your smile goals.