Hereditary Dental Disorders And Conditions To Watch For

You’ve likely encountered people with dental disorders, despite observing the proper oral care practices. What’s worse is that often these disorders are unavoidable. Besides underlying disease, genetics is a leading cause of these complications.

Here are some common hereditary dental disorders. If your parents had them, you might have to visit the dentist more often for check-ups.

Soft Tooth Enamel

Dental cavities occur when bacteria erode the enamel. However, you can reduce the risk of cavities by brushing and flossing your teeth to remove bacteria and plaque. Using fluoride toothpaste and eating calcium-rich foods also strengthens the teeth. If the plaque hardens, you can visit a dentist for professional cleaning.

All the practices mentioned above might be in vain if you have soft tooth enamel as it is more susceptible to cavities.

Gum Recession

Thin gums are congenital. They are fragile and lack sufficient tissue to support teeth and protect the underlying nerves. Additionally, thin gums increase the risk of dental complications, especially if the victim has poor oral care habits.

For instance, thin gums bleed easily if exposed to improper brushing and flossing techniques. They are also more prone to bacterial infection, which causes gingivitis and gum recession. If left untreated, these cause tooth loss.

Tooth Misalignment

Tooth misalignment affects the quality of your smile, interferes with your speech, and can hurt your self-esteem. Unfortunately, it is a hereditary condition that manifests itself in many ways.

Anodontia is a condition that causes partial development of teeth. Some people develop more than 32 teeth, which disrupts proper alignment. On the other hand, hypodontia is characterised by a lack of teeth.

Tooth misalignment is often diagnosed when you lose your milk teeth. The doctor might use implants, dentures, or remove some teeth, depending on the nature of the disorder.

Deficient Saliva Production

Saliva plays a critical role in maintaining oral health. First, it contains enzymes that curb plaque accumulation and neutralises the acids that cause cavities. It also delivers minerals that strengthen your teeth, such as calcium and fluoride. People who suffer from low saliva production, also called dry mouth, are at a higher risk of experiencing tooth decay and cavities.

Amelogenesis Imperfecta

Amelogenesis Imperfecta is a hereditary condition that causes abnormal tooth development. Its symptoms include discoloured and misshaped teeth.

Furthermore, this disorder weakens the enamel, making you more vulnerable to dental cavities, tooth decay, and tooth loss.

Amelogenesis Imperfecta has many variants, and each has its unique treatment depending on severity. It has been known to affect primary and permanent teeth and may occur alone without other signs and symptoms. In some cases, it can even affect different body parts.

Wrapping Up

Being genetically predisposed to these dental disorders doesn’t condemn you to a lifetime with improperly functioning teeth.

If some of these conditions affected your previous generations, the best you can do is visit the dentist in Maroubra more frequently. This way, you’ll get an early diagnosis and treatment if you contract any of these conditions. More importantly, observe good oral hygiene and avoid poor habits.

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