Dental Decay

[nijinsky]

DP has bad teeth and has just had another one taken out. I have good teeth with no such problems. DP says it is genetic and this is proven by the fact that he has had problems with his teeth since childhood. I say it is down to poor dental hygiene and that children don't experience dental problems unless their dental hygiene is at fault. I brushed my teeth religiously twice a day; he admits to not brushing his teeth every day.

DP's whole family say the same thing, except the brother, who has excellent teeth. I say most dentists would agree with me. Am I being U or not in my opinion?

(My parents both had terrible teeth, as did grandparents).

How old is he? I neglected my teeth for years as a child (different culture altogether in those days...) and many of my teeth have now fallen out (I'm 51). I don't understand the genetic thing either - once their out of your gums, surely they're your responsibility??

He's 40 and basically he is now losing teeth due to decay over the years ie they are falling out and he has had so many fillings that there is a lack of tooth to fill now. Its not to do with not having enough space for teeth in his mouth and actually to my untrained eye, his enamel doesn't look that bad. Its the fact that his teeth have suffered so much decay over the years.

Ugh, he is either going to have to have loads of implants or dentures and suffer bone loss and the associated effect that has on your whole face.

I'm just shocked that his mother, who is a sensible educated person I would expect to know better, when complaining about all the dental problems her children had as children (except the brother, who I bet is the sort to brush regularly), didn't ensure that her children brushed their teeth regularly and is happy to blame it solely on "bad genes" and "poor dentists".