{"id":312,"date":"2021-08-20T14:59:00","date_gmt":"2021-08-20T14:59:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dolfielddental.com\/blog\/?p=312"},"modified":"2021-09-02T15:04:34","modified_gmt":"2021-09-02T15:04:34","slug":"can-gum-disease-be-genetic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dolfielddental.com\/blog\/2021\/08\/20\/can-gum-disease-be-genetic\/","title":{"rendered":"Can Gum Disease Be Genetic?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Untreated gum disease is a leading cause of tooth loss, and as such it\u2019s a condition you want to avoid at all costs. You\u2019re probably already aware that poor oral hygiene is a major risk factor when it comes to gum disease, but did you know that your genes could play as role as well? If your parents routinely had trouble with swollen or bleeding gums, then your own oral health might also be at an increased risk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

How Family History Affects Gum Disease<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Genetics don\u2019t directly cause gum disease, but they can leave you more susceptible to it. While the exact basis has yet to be determined, researchers have found that there are 38 genes \u2013 such as the FAM5C gene \u2013 that are linked to an increased risk of aggressive periodontal disease. In short, you may be more likely to develop gum disease if you inherited one of these genes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s not to say that environmental factors don\u2019t still play a significant role. Not brushing your teeth on a regular basis, eating too many sugary foods, and smoking can all increase harmful bacteria levels in your mouth and lead to gum disease and other problems. However, your genes can affect your body\u2019s overall ability to resist gum inflammation. Two people can brush and floss the same amount every day, but genetics can still leave one of them more vulnerable to attacks from oral bacteria. As such, it\u2019s important for your dentist to be aware of any family history you might have for gum disease, as it generally means that extra vigilance is required when it comes to cleaning the teeth and gums.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What You Can Do to Protect Yourself from Gum Disease<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Genetics don\u2019t guarantee that you will suffer from gum disease at some point in your life; they simply make preventive care all the more vital. The following tips can help you keep your gums as safe as possible:<\/p>\n\n\n\n