A recent article published in January 2017 in the Wall Street Journal written by Heidi Mitchell explored this subject: is there a cavity gene? Michael Glick a professor at the School of Dental Medicine at the University of Buffalo, State University of New York studied how genetics may play a role.
Genetics may increase your chances of having primary tooth decay by up to 64%, according to some studies, says Dr. Glick who is the editor of the American Dental Journal. It isn’t clear which part of the cavity forming process is affected. “The way enamel is formed on the tooth is probably the best candidate for genetics to have an impact,” he says.
Information about the genetic causes to tooth decay comes mainly from research on identical twins. This research has also shown that having a sweet tooth can also be inherited. “It is hard to separate a high sugar diet that will predispose one to develop cavities from a genetic predisposition.”
While certain communities tend to have more cavities, this is most likely related to dietary choices.
Even if you are convinced that you have the cavity gene, “There is solid evidence that without sugar, you cannot get cavities,” says Dr. Glick. It is suggested to reduce how much sugar you consume, and how frequently you ingest it, especially the kind of sugar that clings to teeth such as sticky candy and sugary drinks. “If we look at places in America where sugary sodas are the drink of choice, people have pretty bad teeth.”
Dr. Glick suggests that if you think you have a predisposition to tooth decay, it is important to follow hygiene recommendations: Brush at least twice a day, floss regularly, rinse daily with an antibacterial mouthwash and see a dentist at least twice a year.
Plastic sealants, which are applied by a dentist or dental hygienist are also very effective at preventing cavities. “This material covers the natural cracks, grooves and fissures in the teeth, which mean that food and sugar just won’t get stuck in there,” he says. Sealants also help demineralize teeth, “So if you have the early stages of a cavity, the sealant can strengthen the enamel a little and the tooth can heal itself.”
Tooth decay is a fairly common disease, and people shouldn’t be overly concerned whether they are genetically predisposed to it or not, Dr. Glick says. 1/5 of the people in the United States have untreated cavities which can lead to lots of pain, root canals or extractions. Many people simply neglect their oral hygiene- 25% of Americans over 60 years old have lost all their teeth, he says.
Don’t sweat the genetics, he says. “See your dentist often, brush regularly and get your cavities filled quickly,” whether your parents had a lot of cavities or not.
Source: The Wall Street Journal, January 17, 2017.
Editor’s note (Dr Russin):
I brush my teeth before I eat breakfast and use a mouthwash to remove all the mouth plaque that has formed from sleeping.
I also brush after breakfast before I drive to the office. I have my 6oz glass of orange juice (sugary, but loaded with vitamin C) on the way to work to swallow my daily vitamins, then I’ll usually have a cup of coffee or green tea during our morning “Pow-Wow” going over the daily casework with my Staff before we see the first patient. If I have (sugared) coffee during the meeting, I will brush again or at least use a mouth wash to get rid myself of the “coffee breath” before seeing the first patient. “Thank You”.
Around mid morning, I’m usually starving and will have a piece of cheese, fruits, nuts, and/or a small pastry and a small swig of coffee or an energy boost drink (Ensure, no caffeine) and I will brush my teeth after this snack. We have lunch at noon, and I will brush after lunch before my 1:00pm patient. I’m usually pretty good about getting through the whole afternoon without a snack, but I will drink unsweetened green tea or water all afternoon. Hydration keeps me alert and energized. I usually drink about a gallon of non-sweetened fluids during the “working day.” Depending on how I feel, I’ll have a water/green tea or a coffee (#3?) maybe with a snack for the busy drive home to maze through the horrendous traffic. Mind you, this is nearing 11-12 hours since I drove into work since the morning.
At home, I’ll have dinner, and occasionally a beer or wine with the meal (my wife doesn’t drink alcohol) and I’ll brush my teeth after eating the dinner meal.
I rarely snack in the evening, but sometimes I do, I’ll also take a bike ride or do some calisthenics/weights but I’ll brush at least one last time before I go to bed and floss my teeth as needed.
Yes, count them up…5, 6, 7 times a day/every day “My toothbrush and I.” My last filling was in 3-4 yrs ago because I wore my some of my lower front teeth down from grinding at night and poor occlusion (I never had braces), prior to that I cracked a tooth in 1984 during my Endodontic residency at Temple University, and I had one filling placed at Ohio State while going through dental school (we had to do it…a gold foil.) I drink no sodas, no sweetened teas, a 16oz (Keurig large) Styrofoam coffee with a tablespoon of pure cane (brown) sugar and half and half cream, and I generally eat a very low carb diet, basically a Mediterranean Diet… and I have no cavities!!! My 3 other siblings and parents all had fillings, root canals, crowns and extractions. My parents (both deceased) had about half of their teeth extracted before they passed. I had great dental care growing up, my Mother took us all in twice a year to a wonderful, caring dentist in the 60’s and filled/extracted “baby teeth as needed,” I had no braces, and fluoride was introduced into our water supply when I was probably 6-7 years old. Am I lucky? Good genetics? Fluoride? I dunno…
I remember one middle school teacher telling me that I had “bad breath and I needed to brush my teeth”, which I (later/daily) did…I was so embarrassed. I remember sitting through hours and hours of dental school lectures years later about how microbes will eat sugar and metabolize the food source(s) to produce acid and rot your teeth and gums/bone WITHIN 6 HOURS day after day.
I’m not out to preach, but brushing at least every 6 hours of the waking day is a must if you continue to intake food or sugared drinks. Even when I am off from work on a weekend or at a continuation education class at a hotel or teaching all day (with drive time) @ UF, I will bring that toothbrush/toothpaste for the morning (start), sometimes at 10:30 (doubtful…too busy), absolutely after lunch, and at 5pm or 7:30pm depending on the situation, and always before bedtime….
Of my 35 years of continuation classes, I’m amazed how little to none I see folks brushing their teeth after lunch in the rest room in a dental or non-dental class or meeting experience.
Good oral health habits not only help your teeth, but influence your whole systemic health for a lifetime.
(Every 6 hours, every 6 hours, every 6 hours)….while awake… it works!