Fredericksburg Office: 540-710-1088
Stafford Office: 540-242-5251

Bad Teeth: Is It Genetic Or Due To Poor Oral Hygiene?

Woman getting a dental checkup

Many individuals say that having bad teeth is their parents’ fault. They claim that they inherited their oral condition from their mom or dad. While this might be true to some extent, a person’s oral habits also contribute to bad teeth. This leads to the question: Is genetics the primary cause of bad teeth or is it poor oral hygiene?

Dental Problems You Can Inherit From Your Parents

The dental issues that you can get from your parents involve only the structure and shape of your teeth. Parents with overcrowded teeth also tend to pass on this genetic feature to their offspring. It can be difficult to clean crowded teeth as it makes them vulnerable to plaque and tooth decay. Fortunately, it’s possible to have this issue corrected by going to a professional orthodontist in Stafford for dental realignment.

Your Habits Determine Your Dental Health

While you can attribute the shape and structure of your mouth to your parents, you cannot blame them for the level of care you provide to your teeth. If you do not take care of your teeth by brushing and flossing regularly, you won’t obtain a bright, white, and healthy smile. Thus, your habits, along with your diet, can affect your teeth.

Changing Poor Oral Hygiene Habits

Although you can’t control your genes, you can change your oral hygiene habits. A good start would be to get into the routine of brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing your teeth once a day. Stay away from sugary foods that can ruin your teeth. Taking these simple steps to correct your oral hygiene habits will help you achieve a beautiful smile now or later in life.

Apart from effective oral health, it’s important to visit your dentist especially if you can benefit from orthodontic treatment. If you’re looking for an experienced dental practice that meets your orthodontic needs and concerns, choose Southpoint Quality Dental. We offer orthodontic treatments to both young and old patients so you can enhance your appearance as well as improve your overall oral health.

Contact us today to explore the treatments we can provide.

Important Practice Changes 2025

Office Closure

Both of our offices will be closed for Thanksgiving from 11/27 to 11/29.
We will be open as normal on Monday the 2nd. Have a great holiday!