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Original poster

Teeth: I reckon its luck amd genetics rather than how you look after them.....

37 replies

DrNortherner · 10/04/2008 21:44

My ds is 6. Dentist yesterday could not praise enough just how beautiful ds's teeth are.

They are strong and white and healthy and he has not yet lost one milk tooth.

Friends dd the same age has had 3 removed due to decay and protective coating on the rest.

my ds eats sweets and chocolate, the ocassional fruit shoot, and on ocassions has not brushed his teeth before bed.

Friend has been fanatical about brushing her dd's teeth sometimes more than twice a day. Limits sweets and never juice or fruit shoots.

OP posts:

Megglevache · 10/04/2008 21:46

Message withdrawn

OverMyDeadBody · 10/04/2008 21:47

genetics have a lot to do with it I'm told!

sleepycat · 10/04/2008 21:49

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Elibean · 10/04/2008 23:01

Defo genetics. I have hardly any fillings in spite of lazy brushing in my youth, and late onset flossing...and tons of chocolate...

DH eats masses of healthy fruit, is a religious flosser, never stops his toothbrush before the 2 minutes are up, and has loads of fillings.

Not sure about the dds yet....

Brangelina · 10/04/2008 23:08

Deffo genetics. I have no fillings at all despite not really looking after them besides brushing, but then I've never really been a sweet eater or coke drinker - my sins are more cakes and chocolate which contain fat for that all so important protective coating. My Dad only has a couple of fillings at 65, though my mum has a mouthful of metal despite having a very healthy diet.

I really hope DD inherits my teeth as DP's are grim and he keeps dentists in business. She can inherit his perfect eyesight though, as mine is crap

pamplemousse · 10/04/2008 23:12

Apparently it is genetics (never date a dentist, bedtime got a bit tedious with him checking I had brushed for at least 3 minutes... oh the spontenaity (sp!) of it all) some people have something in their saliva that stops caries from occuring.

Sixer · 10/04/2008 23:19

My DS also had beautiful milk teeth. He lost his first at just 5. Recently, just 6 lost both his front teeth. The dentist is happy even though the new teeth are yellow. He brushes twice a day, doesn't like sweets, but will eat chocolate sometimes. The dentist also said the yellow is due to using too much toothpaste and not rinsing properly. Apparently, more time should be spent on rinsing.

chunkychips · 10/04/2008 23:22

I think it's luck, hated the dentist since having a tooth pulled out when about 13 so from the age of 16 to 30 didn't go - too terrified. At 30 thought it was pathetic to have this fear and went, was convinced would have to have them all removed, but no treatment needed. Don't know where I get them from though, both parents have loads of fillings.

chunkychips · 10/04/2008 23:24

good tip about using too much toothpaste sixer

ComeOVeneer · 10/04/2008 23:25

There is no such thing as something in the saliva that stops caries I'm afraid.

pamplemousse · 10/04/2008 23:26

Ah well he was an idiot so he must have been making it up!

ComeOVeneer · 10/04/2008 23:26

Adult teeth are generally a more creamy colour than the baby teeth so will appear yellowy next to them. I doubt it is anything to do with using to much toothpaste tbh.

PeachesMcLean · 10/04/2008 23:27

Bloody genetics. DH has fab teeth with a scant brush once a day.

I brush twice, poke with interdental things and my gums are falling apart. Teeth fine, it's the stuff holding them in place which is the problem.

Plus a "witty" line this evening on some crappy stupid sitcom related gum disease to heart disease. I don't know if this is true.

ComeOVeneer · 10/04/2008 23:27

Too much toothpaste can be linked to too much flouride which can discolour developing teeth but we are talking about consumming rather a lot rather than using a wee bit too much when brushing and not rinsing.

RosaLuxforherfriends · 10/04/2008 23:30

My poor DD2 has inherited my rather weak teeth while DD1 and DD3 have inherited DH's beautiful white ones. It is so not fair.

ComeOVeneer · 10/04/2008 23:30

There are small links with heart disease and gum disease. Due to the introduction of bacteria into the blood stream which may contribute to the possibilty of blood clots inducing heart attacks or storkes. But I wouldn't get yourself into a blind panic over this. Just talk to your dentist/hygienist if you are concerned..

expatinscotland · 10/04/2008 23:32

yes. i inherited my shite teeth from my mum.

my sister got my dad's teeth - they even LOOK the same. she has one filling to his zero.

PeachesMcLean · 10/04/2008 23:34

(you've no idea what a hypochondriac i can be....)

And I do 6 monthly appointments whereas bloody DH has been told he only has to go every 12. And misses those. And is still fine. Git. Grrr....

SoMuchToBits · 10/04/2008 23:34

I think genetics. All my family have good teeth. Ok, we brush regularly and eat a fairly healthy diet, but are not fanatical about it. But I have only had 1 tiny filling ever, both sisters have had hardly any, and my mum who is nearly 88, still has most of her own teeth (as did my dad until he died last year).

PeachesMcLean · 10/04/2008 23:36

Well, resolves to book appointment.

I will not google.
I will not google.
I will not google.
I will not google.
I will not google.....

pamplemousse · 10/04/2008 23:42

I just googled and all sorts of stuff to do differing types of saliva that can even be tested to predict whether kids are likely to develop caries in later life - must have been what ex was on about

lisalisa · 10/04/2008 23:46

Message withdrawn

shyteteeth · 10/04/2008 23:46

My name says it all - and I blame it all on my mum
I have been told it is genetic - so I have receding gums, just like mum, despite brushing, flossing, mouthwashing religiously and seeing the dentist every 3 months...
What's worse is I've started grinding my teeth in my sleep, which does not make for pretty viewing! Another dentist appointment next week to try and sort that out - grrrrr, hate teeth...
Just to throw a question out there - why is it that scientific/medical advances have got to the stage we can weld human ears onto mice - but to have a dental implant / gum treatment still costs a zillion pounds???

ComeOVeneer · 10/04/2008 23:47

Saliva helps to neutralise tha acid produced by bacteria feeding on the sugars coating our teth in the plaque from our diet. Everyones saliva is different and some people seem to be able to reduce the harmful effects more readily than others. If it were true that there was something present that could totally prevent caries it would be a multi million pound research endeavour to isolate and synthetically produce it.. Then market it and make a fortune

shyteteeth · 10/04/2008 23:49

good name ComeOVeneer!!

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