Genes are Key to Oral Health & Beyond

In a groundbreaking study encompassing over half a million participants, researchers embarked on a quest to unravel the intricate relationship between genetics and dental health. This study, published in Nature Communications and backed by data from sources like as the UK Biobank and the Gene-Lifestyle Interactions in Dental Endpoints consortium, supported by NIDCR, revealed 47 distinct genetic loci intricately linked to dental caries. Remarkably, among these findings were not only reaffirmations of previously known genetic influencers of dental health but also the discovery of novel genetic factors shaping oral well-being.Beyond its genetic revelations, the study uncovered compelling associations between dental health and a myriad of lifestyle factors, including smoking habits, educational attainment, and personality traits. Furthermore, intriguing connections emerged between oral health and systemic metrics such as cardiovascular and metabolic parameters, unveiling the profound interconnectedness between oral and overall health. I chose this article because among my generation, there has definitely been an uptick in individuals who receive veneers, which are fake teeth. Formerly used as replacement teeth, veneers are typically yellow to match existing teeth in a person's mouth. However, I noticed that a lot of the people nowadays with the veneers not only do an entire teeth replacement, but they end up choosing the straightest, whitest and overall most until set of teeth they could find. I always have wondered how bad their teeth could've been to drive them to make such a drastic change to their appearance. This article shows how so many genes come into play regarding how some peoples' teeth are. I liked this article because it highlights the reasons why someones teeth can become so damaged and how taking good care of your teeth and just your mouth in general can improve your quality of life. 

Sources

1. https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/news-events/nidcr-news/2019/genes-are-key-oral-health-beyond

2. https://www.queencreekcompletedental.com/blog/2021/08/20/can-bad-teeth-run-in-the-family/