What “Causes” Bad Teeth?

It’s completely normal and common for new patients to come in feeling a little embarrassed about their teeth. Having teeth that you don’t feel confident showing off can be a big source of stress and some patients may even take it personally that they don’t have the most perfect teeth in the world from the get-go.

But new research tells us that we actually have very little control over our teeth—we are born with them, after all. Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine have determined that genetics are in fact the most important factor when it comes to your teeth. However, of course we do have some control—brushing regularly, flossing, and avoiding sugary foods are great ways to make the most out of the teeth that you do have.

Here are some of the key facts courtesy of CNN.com:

About 60% of the risk for tooth decay appears to be due to genetic factors, says Mary L. Marazita, director of the Center for Craniofacial and Dental Genetics at the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine.

The other 40% has to do with environment: diet, brushing frequency, smoking habits, dental care access, culture, even socioeconomic factors, according to Robert J. Weyant, chairman of the University of Pittsburgh's Department of Dental Public Health.

So far, the single biggest environmental factor scientists have identified that encourages tooth decay is the consumption of sugary drinks, Weyant said. Any sugary treat can hurt, but sugary drinks are particularly adept at spreading sugar to every corner of your mouth to feed the bacteria that cause decay.

Click here to read the full article on CNN.com.

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