Can Gum Disease Be a Genetic Problem?

You’re probably already aware of how factors like your diet and your oral hygiene habits can affect your chances of developing gum disease. But what about genetics? Is susceptibility to gum disease something that can be passed down from parent to child? And if so, what can you do to protect your oral health? Your dentist is here with the answers to these important questions.

How Can Gum Disease and Genetics Be Linked?

Various studies have indicated that gum disease can potentially have a genetic component. In particular, around 30% of people may have an increased chance of developing gum disease due to genetic factors.

One such factor is your body’s cytokine response. Cytokines are proteins that help trigger the immune system to fight inflammation. However, certain genetic issues could lead to problems with your cytokine response, which can leave you up to 20 times more likely to develop an advanced form of gum disease.

Of course, it’s important to remember that while genetic factors can increase your risk for gum disease, they don’t actually directly cause it. Furthermore, simply having a higher risk for the condition doesn’t necessarily mean that developing it is inevitable. That being said, if you have a family history of increased susceptibility to gum disease, you need to pay extra close attention to your gum health.

How Can You Protect Your Smile From Gum Disease?

In order to keep your risk for gum disease as low as possible, you need to focus on taking care of your smile. One of the most important things you can do is visit your dentist for a checkup every six months; these visits are an excellent opportunity to have gum disease caught as early as possible, which can make it easier to deal with. Remember to let your dentist know if you have any family history for gum disease so that they know what they need to keep an especially watchful eye out for.

You also need to make sure that you’re practicing excellent oral hygiene. Brush your teeth at least two times a day, and don’t forget to pay close attention to the gum line. Flossing is also essential for getting rid of harmful bacteria that are hiding in spaces that can’t be effectively cleaned with a toothbrush.

There may not be anything you can do about your genetics, but you can still be proactive about taking care of your gums. Take whatever steps you need to in order to keep the chances of gum disease occurring as low as possible.

About the Practice

Here at Wayland Dental, we help patients of all ages improve and protect their smiles with a wide range of treatments. We’re happy to provide different forms of gum disease treatment, including scaling and root planing, Arestin antibiotic therapy, and periodontal surgery. To schedule a consultation at Wayland Dental, visit our website or call (508) 651-0500.