July 10, 2014

Oral Health: Does Having Bad Teeth Mean You Have Bad Genes?

Good dental hygiene, especially in today’s society, is very important. Scientists say the health of your teeth depends on a combination of your genetics and dental hygiene. What’s interesting, though, is that 60% of oral health factors depend on genetics, so just because you brush, floss and consume little to no candy, that doesn’t mean you won’t end up in the dentist chair with a cavity or root canal.

Genetics plays a role in five areas that are being further explored by researchers

Consumption of sugar
Teeth enamel
Ability to taste
Saliva
Microbiomes

Bacteria in your Mouth

In your mouth alone, there are separate communities of bacteria on your tongue, on the surface of your teeth and below your gum line. Together, these communities make up what is known as your microbiomes. The remaining 40% has a lot to do with environmental factors like brushing frequency, smoking habits and access to dental care. What’s interesting is that so far, the single factor identified that encourages tooth decay is the consumption of sugary drinks.

Natural Products for Oral Health

Poor oral hygiene is often linked to poor overall health. The mouth is a common place for bacteria to thrive, which can have a harmful impact on your health along with causing bad breath, cavities and tooth decay. Certain all-natural formulas can be an excellent addition to your brushing and flossing routine; many herbs and nutrients are instrumental in maintaining good oral hygiene, freshening breath, and nutritionally supporting the health of the gums. Look for products that do not contain alcohol, sugar, sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium benzoate, and parabens.

Antioxidants for Good Oral Health

According to Amanda Williams, MPH, Direction of Nutrition for InVite® Health’s Boca Raton store, “A healthy mouth is the key to a healthy body. Our mouths are filled with many microorganisms that can lead to severe health consequences, including heart disease. This is why we have been taught from a young age to brush and floss our teeth daily. The cleaner we keep our mouths, the less likely we have opportunistic infections that create gum disease and tooth decay, and even worse than that, systemic infections that can cause numerous health problems. Besides regular dental cleanings with your dental provider, we can also take control of our daily oral health with two natural nutrients – White tea and Coenzyme Q10.” Click here to continue reading, “The Secret to Optimal Oral Health May Surprise You!” >>