Do bad teeth run in the famlies?

Question

My wife's teeth are rotting out of her mouth. She says they are bad because she inherited her Grand father's teeth. His teeth were pulled then dentured at young age of 25. She also blamed steroids she was on when they thought she had MS. Is any of this possible, or does she just practice poor dental hygine? (she does drink alot of colas everyday)

Answer 1

It sounds like a combination of problems, poor hygiene habits, genetics and possible medication and/or illness. She should get in to see her dentist and discuss this with him. Better to change your oral hygiene habits sooner versus later. Brushing for 2 minutes 3 times a day, flossing a few times a day, using a mouthwash. Cola is terrible for teeth, but if she must have it, then tell her to try to brush afterwards or at least drink water afterwards. I hope that this helps and good luck to you two!

Answer 2

It's most probably a combination of all the things you mentioned and add to the mix lack of dental care. I have inherited "soft" teeth and even though I've had access to dental care all of my life 3 years ago I had to have $7,000. worth of work done, and that only took care of my top teeth. I now have to have extensive work on the bottom teeth. Keep in mind, also that my teeth do, and have always, looked perfect, although there were many underlying problems. I have always gotten compliments on my smile and teeth, but they weren't "healthy" teeth,gums,bone. I also know from my sister who has MS the damage the meds cause the teeth. She, unfortunately, had to have all of them pulled and she now has dentures. So, don't put the blame solely on your wife's irresponsibility. These things can happen. Good luck and you just have to accept the fact that her dental health is going to come at a huge price. Sorry, have lived it and it's not fun nor cheap. It's an ongoing, major expense for us.

Answer 3

All the factors you mention could affect your wife's dental health. There are certainly genetic factors that could give a person stronger or weaker enamel (the protective outer coating of the teeth); if her mother had a calcium deficiency when she was pregnant, that could have resulted in your wife's teeth not developing the necessary strength to remain healthy through her life. Drinking high sugar colas can deteriorate the enamel. And certain medications are bad for the teeth.

Answer 4

It is probably a combination of the two. Weaker teeth can be genetic but rotting is due to poor hygiene. If she knows her teeth are week she should not drink soda. The acid is soda weakens teeth. Also, she should brush at least twice a day (I brush 3 times a day) and floss daily. Mouthwashing would help as well. She should definitely see a dentist so they can assess the situation and advise her as to how to prevent losing all of her teeth.

Answer 5

To some extent they do. I never had braces and have perfectly straight teeth. That is inherited. At the same time, my father had severe gum disease and had to have all of his teeth pulled in his 30s. All six of his children still have all of their teeth and our ages range from 36-56. However, 2 of my brothers did not go to the dentist at all while in their 20s, both of them have periodontal disease, although not as seriously as my father.

Soda rots teeth. My husband has horrible teeth. If you do not get fluoride treatments regularly during your formative years, your teeth are more prone to decay. Drinking soda just makes this situation worse.

Answer 6

You teeth are essentially bone. And almost everything physically related to the human body follows through the family genetics. Its a hit and miss type thing. You could ened up with the weak gene being dominant or with the stronger gene being dominant. Its luck of the draw. My family has a history of having bad teeth, crooked twisted and weak, my sister inherited the crooked teeth, but braces fixed that, and I inherited weak enamel, but have perfectly straight teeth. You can overcome some of these issues, like my sister getting braces and my 6 month enamel treatment, but genetics are genetics.

Answer 7

i had recently taken my 1 1/2 year old to the oediodontist because of discoloration on one of her molars. The y explained to me that teeth are genetic but that it runs in the mothers side of the family. so what ever her mothers teeth were like is what her teeth would be like. but if they are taken care of it can be avoioded. on the other hand some people just believe that if one of their family members have bad teeth then there is nothing they can do about it so why should they try. As it turned out my daughter has discoloration on her teeth because of nebulzer treatment she had as an infant. She has asthma and before babies teeth come in, the albuterol treatments can cause the teeth to rot before they come in. So there is another warning. just to let you know, i don't know why.

Answer 8

Bad teeth aren't inherited in any way, unless like you said she just has poor dental hygiene habits. But a Dentist can only tell... Because let me tell you something I am a chocolate, caffeine & sweets addict and still the only time I have to go to the dentist was for my twice a year cleaning.

Answer 9

Certain characteristics that lead to bad teeth can run in families (e.g. excessive plaque production, weaker bones). I know I'm lucky to have my dad's teeth and not my mom's. The soda will play a HUGE part in her tooth decay. H-U-G-E, especially if other members of her family were prone to tooth decay. She may have inherited some obstacles to healthy teeth, but she could cultivate good dental hygiene practices to avoid the same problems.

Answer 10

Yes, bad teeth do run in families. All of my grandparents had dentures. My father got an upper-plate when he was in his early 20s. My mom got her dentures in her 40s. I religiously brush and floss several times a day and I have for years, but I'm the next candidate for dentures in our family.