Hearing that you have a genetic predisposition for certain traits may make it seem like you are doomed to suffer the same health concerns as your parents or grandparents. Any doctor will tell you that while genetics play a role in your health profile, they don’t necessarily mean that your outcome will be the same as your relatives. This is especially true with dentistry and the genetics of the sweet tooth.
Genetics may make you predisposed to loving dessert, but even if your parents lost their teeth due to extensive decay and gum disease, you do not have to resign yourself to the same fate. Fluoridated water, fluoride toothpaste, modern toothbrushes, and new knowledge about diet and health habits all provide you tools that were not available to previous generations.
Sugar Is a Relatively New Problem
Until the late 1800s, sugar was not as easy to come by as it is today and was considered a luxury item. Since then, the sugar industry has exploded and so has the American taste for it. With the introduction of refined sugar into the American diet in such a prominent way, dental decay and gum disease also increased.
Even if you do enjoy your sugary treats from time to time, the introduction of supplemental fluoride in both the city water systems and into most toothpaste helps keep the instances of decay to a manageable level. Of course, this requires regular use of fluoride and good oral hygiene habits at home.
The Role of Professional Dental Cleanings
Twice yearly (or more) dental cleanings in our Encinitas dental office assist in the removal of tartar, a hard substance made of mineral deposits, food particles, and oral biofilm, which harbor bacteria and cause decay or infection in the gum tissue.
Even with good oral hygiene habits, developing tartar is unavoidable. Professional dental cleanings remove tartar that collects between visits. Your professional exam will also include digital dental x-rays to detect decay in its very early stages. Give us a call to book your appointment!