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If you have excellent dental health despite not taking proper care of your teeth, or if you have issues despite good care, it might not be surprising to learn that genes play a role in periodontal (gum) disease. A study led by Kimon Divaris looked at around 5,000 European Americans participating in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study. Conducted at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Dentistry, this research identified a genetic variation linked to chronic gum disease.
“These findings confirmed what we long suspected about the heritability of chronic periodontitis,” said Divaris.
The study revealed that the majority of severe gum disease cases can be traced back to a common genetic variation. When adding smokers to the mix, more than half of those affected by gum disease are high-risk due to their genetic makeup. Another surprising discovery was the strong connection between neural pathways and gum disease. It seems that the neural pathways, much like those involved in our immune response, are directly linked to gum disease symptoms. So, it’s clear that both genetics and neural pathways play significant roles in the development of periodontal disease.
While more research is necessary to draw definitive conclusions, this information is crucial for detecting, preventing, and treating periodontal disease. Hopefully, these findings will encourage more dentists to conduct further studies, enabling the gathering of more detailed information.
This study highlights the substantial influence of genes and neural pathways on dental health and gum disease. It is particularly intriguing to learn about the unexpected role neural pathways play in gum disease development. Awareness of the genetic and neural linkages can aid in better prevention and treatment strategies for periodontal disease. Regardless of genetic predispositions, maintaining good dental care is essential for overall health. If you have a family history of poor dental health, it’s even more critical to take care of your teeth. For those interested, the full study was published in Human Molecular Genetics.