Dr. Nicholas Papapetros, D.M.D. Explains What to Do When Dental Problems Run in the Family

SHREWSBURY, Mass. - Jan. 8, 2015 - PRLog -- Although much dental health has to do with practicing good oral hygiene and visiting a dentist for regular cleanings and checkups, some features of oral health are hereditary. By sharing certain aspects of your family’s dental history with your dentist, he or she can be vigilant about potential problems to which you might be prone before they arise.

While caring properly for your teeth can go a long way toward keeping your smile healthy, some oral conditions such as the spacing and alignment of teeth can have hereditary aspects. Misaligned or “crooked” teeth often run in families and can cause problems in the mouth. Such problems may need to be addressed using orthodontic appliances. Serious misalignment or spacing issues such as bite problems can lead to pain in the mouth, jaw, and neck.

Chronic diseases that tend to run in families – such as diabetes and asthma – can also have an adverse impact on oral health. You should share your family history of any such diseases with you dentist so that he or she can keep an eye out for the types of oral complications or symptoms that arise in conjunction with such a disease. Certain medications used to treat illnesses or diseases can also affect oral health.

Your dentist will also need to know if there are any bleeding or clotting disorders that run in your family, as such conditions can affect treatment decisions. Adverse reactions to anesthesia should also be disclosed if your dentist recommends it for a dental procedure.

Family diet can also have an impact on oral health. Proper nutrition is vital to a healthy mouth. Parents who eat lots of candy, soda, and sugary snacks may also tend to feed their children the same types of foods, which can be hard on teeth. Parents can even transfer bacteria from their mouths to the mouths of their children, and some of these bacteria may cause an increased incidence of tooth decay. If you’re taking your toddler for a first dental visit, share any specific dental concerns that have plagued you or concerns you have about your child’s oral health.

Finally, gum disease can also run in families. If your family history contains a high incidence or gingivitis, you should be extra vigilant in your brushing and flossing routine and you should alert your dentist so he or she can be on the lookout for any of the early signs of gum disease, as you might be more genetically predisposed to developing gum problems.

If there are any concerns in your family’s medical or dental history that you feel might result in an impact on your or your child’s oral health, share them with your dentist. He or she can provide a line of defense against developing dental problems that have plagued other members of your family.

Would you like to know more? Visit www.SmileShrewsbury.com, www.smileandover.com, and www.smilesbystiles.com for more information.