Now that’s a great question! Patients often tell me that their siblings or parents had bad teeth or lost their teeth and they often feel that they’re doomed to a similar fate. Nothing could be further from the truth! 

Yes, there are some complicated hereditary factors that can contribute to poor dental health, but the fact is that poor oral habits are more likely to be “inherited” and contribute to the demise of one’s dentition. Unhealthy snacking and inadequate hygiene practices are much more likely to cause dental and periodontal disease (the number one cause of tooth loss in adults).