Environmental influences and social determinants of health have more of an effect on whether a patient will develop cavities than genetic factors, according to a study in Pediatrics.
Researchers studied 345 twins by collecting demographic, health and phenotypic data. Dental cavities and enamel defects were measured at 6 years of age. The study compared the concordance of the presence of any cavities and advanced cavities in fraternal and identical twins.
Of the 345 twins, 111 (32.2 percent) showed signs of cavities and 83 (24.1 percent) had advanced cavities. There was no evidence of higher concordance in identical twins compared to fraternal twins.
Researchers concluded that rather than genetics, a lack of community water fluoridation, hypomineralized second primary molars, dichorionic placentae and maternal obesity were more likely to predict cavities and dental health.
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Researchers studied 345 twins by collecting demographic, health and phenotypic data. Dental cavities and enamel defects were measured at 6 years of age. The study compared the concordance of the presence of any cavities and advanced cavities in fraternal and identical twins.
Of the 345 twins, 111 (32.2 percent) showed signs of cavities and 83 (24.1 percent) had advanced cavities. There was no evidence of higher concordance in identical twins compared to fraternal twins.
Researchers concluded that rather than genetics, a lack of community water fluoridation, hypomineralized second primary molars, dichorionic placentae and maternal obesity were more likely to predict cavities and dental health.
More articles on dental:
Dentists, oral surgeons, orthodontists are the highest paid workers in these states
SmileDirectClub partners with UnitedHealthcare, Aetna
CVS to open hundreds of SmileDirectClub shops in stores