Would you be surprised to hear that there are several things you’ll have to do if you’d like to enjoy a healthy smile? For example, you may have been told that brushing and flossing are very important, but did you know that your genetic predisposition can also impact your oral health? In other words, regardless of the care you give your teeth, you might be more vulnerable to tooth decay and gum disease than others of your peers.
On a more positive note, you might also be less likely to have cavities than others. Simple things, such as the size and shape of your teeth could leave you more vulnerable to cavities and tooth decay. Gaps in your smile and uneven teeth are generally more difficult to clean, which might leave you more likely to have gum disease and tooth decay. If you have a weak immune system, you might also be more susceptible to tooth decay.
Still, regardless of your genes, we suggest caring for your smile well–especially if you’d like to keep your teeth and your gums healthy! Brushing and flossing are also important steps you should take, keep up with those twice-yearly dental checkups and cleanings. While we’ll search for issues you might not be able to identify yourself, we’ll also clean your smile more thoroughly than you can on your own to help you fend off decay and gum disease. These appointments also give us an opportunity to give you personalized advice.
If you’d like to learn more about caring for your smile in Manhattan, Kansas, or would like to learn more about how genetics impact your smile, we invite you to give Family & Implant Dentistry a call at 785-539-5949. Our dentists, Drs. Mark Hungerford, Grant Witcher, Josh Walker, Curtis Snowden, and Rawley Philpott are happy to help you with all of your smile care needs!