{"id":464,"date":"2024-12-09T22:11:35","date_gmt":"2024-12-09T22:11:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.indydentalgroup.com\/blog\/?p=464"},"modified":"2025-01-30T22:41:19","modified_gmt":"2025-01-30T22:41:19","slug":"gum-disease-is-it-genetic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.indydentalgroup.com\/blog\/2024\/12\/09\/gum-disease-is-it-genetic\/","title":{"rendered":"Gum Disease: It Runs in the Family\u2026Or Does It? \u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"911\" height=\"294\" src=\"https:\/\/www.indydentalgroup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Indy-Dental-Group-Lo75A31E-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-435\" style=\"width:314px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.indydentalgroup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Indy-Dental-Group-Lo75A31E-2.jpg 911w, https:\/\/www.indydentalgroup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Indy-Dental-Group-Lo75A31E-2-300x97.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.indydentalgroup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Indy-Dental-Group-Lo75A31E-2-768x248.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 911px) 100vw, 911px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>The impact <a href=\"https:\/\/www.indydentalgroup.com\/periodontal-therapy.html\">gum disease<\/a> has on individuals throughout the world is staggering. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that nearly 10% of the population worldwide suffers from advanced gum disease. While poor oral hygiene, diets, and lifestyle habits are often to blame, many people wonder if genetics might also play a role. If you have a family history of poor gum health, you may be concerned that you will be the next target. Keep reading to discover if this is true and what you can do to prevent it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--more-->\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Will Your Family History of Gum Disease Affect You?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Possibly. It is believed that some researchers have discovered a genetic component to gum disease \u2013 one that is more prevalent in cases of periodontitis. Estimating that nearly 30% of individuals are more susceptible because of genetics, it seems to appear more frequently in those who develop the advanced condition early in life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A more clinical explanation involves the discussion surrounding cytokines \u2013 small proteins that tell certain cells what to do. As important components of a properly functioning immune system, they must be able to either make new cells or blood or prepare to battle inflammation should it occur. If these cytokines are too weak, they may be unable to keep gum disease at bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Which Symptoms Indicate Gum Disease?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Even if the disease runs in your family, you may not know you have it if you are unaware of the symptoms. Those you should look out for include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Persistent bad breath<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Bleeding gums<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Tender and swollen gum tissue<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Teeth that feel loose<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A change in your bite<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Gum recession or teeth that appear longer than before<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Bad taste in your mouth<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Increased tooth sensitivity<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Can You Prevent the Cycle From Continuing?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you want to avoid entering the vicious cycle and break the link that runs in your family as it relates to gum disease, you can. There are several steps you can take to make sure you\u2019re doing everything you can to keep your smile healthy, strong, and free of harmful bacteria:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Practice good oral hygiene every day. This means brushing with fluoride toothpaste and using a soft-bristled toothbrush for two minutes, twice a day. You\u2019ll also need to floss between your teeth to remove food debris and bacteria as well as rinse with an appropriate mouthwash \u2013 one that prevents gum disease.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>See your dentist every six months for regular checkups and cleanings so that proper periodontal charting can be completed, and any early signs can be addressed and reversed.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Adopt a diet full of healthy foods, some of which contain dairy products high in calcium, fresh fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, and leafy greens.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Limit sugar and starch, as bacteria love to feed on them.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Quit smoking or using tobacco products that can weaken your immune system.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Just because gum disease runs in the family doesn\u2019t mean you have to let it negatively affect your smile. Take charge of your oral health by developing healthy habits and end the cycle today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>About the Practice<br><\/strong>Indy Dental Group\u2019s team of professional dental experts understands the complexity of oral healthcare and how difficult it can be to navigate a condition with genetic links. When treating someone with gum disease, we try to understand whether there is a family history so that appropriate treatment options and recommendations are provided. If you worry your parent\u2019s diseased gums will eventually lead to a decline in your oral health, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.indydentalgroup.com\/contact-us.html\">contact us<\/a> at <strong>(317) 846-6125 <\/strong>to find out how we can help.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The impact gum disease has on individuals throughout the world is staggering. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that nearly 10% of the population worldwide suffers from advanced gum disease. While poor oral hygiene, diets, and lifestyle habits are often to blame, many people wonder if genetics might also play a role. If you have [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v24.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Gum Disease | Genetics | Indy Dental Group<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Is it possible for gum disease to be genetic? 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