Is it true that no matter how much a person flosses or brushes, that his teeth and gums could...?
Question:
While other people, who never floss, can have great healthy teeth?
Due to genes and stress levels. Is this true?
Answers:
There are truly many factors that apply in this situation. Not only are some people under constant stress that makes it harder for the body to heal itself but you must also consider other issues like diet, general health status etc. With health status oral health can be greatly affected by situations like - is the person a diabetic (they have a harder time healing), a smoker, do they take many medications that causes dry mouth (that increases cavities), do they have acid reflux are they bulemic...do they have other chronic illnesses, etc.
So in a word, yes, some patients who practice poor oral care can possibly end up with less problems than those with seemingly good oral care. For instance, a non flossing person in normal health can end up with less trouble than a bulimic (the acid from vomiting eats away the enamel on the teeth causing decay ) with great oral care.
I could definately elaborate, but I hope that helps!
JAMRDH - a dental hygienist
unfortunately yes =[
i think so
well it depends. if u over do those thing i guess i mean as for me. i use those expensive toothpaste but my teeth arn't white. my friend/ cousin on the other hand sometime goes to sleep forgetting to brush her teeth and she has PERFECT WHITE TEETH! i mean how does that work?
I've heard this and I suspect there is some truth to it. I flossed religiously while my brother did not, yet I got most of the cavities...my brother seems to have 'harder' teeth.
Besides genetics, nutrition can play a role (my brother drank more milk for example). Or, the acidity of one's saliva might play a role in how well or how poor a tooth re-enamelizes itself at night. Or, if you sleep with your mouth open, the teeth will have a harder time re-enamelizing at all...the list goes on.
My uncle the dentist says flossing is not effective, but it is still better than not doing anything. Flossing in one direction might push some food deeper below your gumline. If you are concerned about that, use an oral irrigator (waterpik) to get the food out. I like to use this sequence:
1) floss - but try not to shove food deeper into your gum
2) antiseptic rinse
3) brush (evening with sonicare, morning with manual brush)
4) oral irrigator (evening)...I like to see everything that brushing and flossing missed.
I've had bad gums before...keeping it clean is the best we can do at home. Your dentist can do the deeper cleanings if needed.
Finally, one last tip that I just learned a few days ago...
When you drink something acidic (juice, soda, coffee), RINSE with warm water BEFORE you brush if you tend to brush after drinking those things. If you don't rinse first, you might be brushing that acid into your tooth...making the tooth 'softer'.
Yes, and no. I found over my 20 + years of dentistry that if a person had problems with decay, their gums most of the time only had minor irritations. There were always some exceptions, but it seemed to be true most of the time. In reverse I would see people with major gum problems and perfect teeth. It has to do with the bacteria that are most prevalent in your mouth. Some bacteria cause tooth decay, others gum disease. When people would tell me they had never had a cavity it made me instantly suspicious of the condition of their gums. Keep flossing, and brushing and having your teeth cleaned regularly. As a side note...if you clench or grind your teeth, that can effect your gums too. Wearing a night guard appliance while you sleep with help maintain the bone around your teeth.
Genetics does play a part, however, you can be certain that if you don't brush, floss and have regular professional dental cleanings you are pretty much guaranteed to have cavities, and gum disease and loose teeth much more quickly.
In this day and age with what we know it is quite possible to reach old age with a full set of functioning teeth - steak for your 100th birthday sounds a lot better than baby food!
There are also well documented links between gum disease and cardiac problems, some pneumonias, pancreatic cancer, oral cancer, pre-term low birthweight babies. The list keeps getting longer as researchers find more links. What it all boils down to is that everything we put into our bodies enters through our mouths - keep the mouth healthy and minimal bacteria will be passed further down the line and the rest of your body will have a fighting chance at staying healthy too!
I concur with a lot what was said above:
1. some with decay have great gums and visa versa
2. there are many reasons why it works for some and not others. We are amazing creatures
3. don't rely on genetics, with todays technology you can keep and maintain your teeth and gums.
4. stress can have an effect but if you have decent teeth and gums, prevention works with good oral hygiene and diet.
use the right tools and eat right, see a good dentist regularly to avoid surprises, and stay positive. it works.
keep smiling
yep, its all in the genes mostly....
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