Got Cavities Even Though You Brush Your Teeth Like Crazy? Blame Your Genetics

In Switzerland, researchers wondered why some people got cavities and some didn’t, even if they brushed the same amount and ate similar foods. The answer they discovered is that it’s not just bacteria that cause cavities, but genetics play a larger role than we may have thought. By looking at the genetic makeup responsible for tooth enamel formation and three related proteins in particular, they found that mice with mutations of this gene had higher incidences of cavities and other tooth defects. Researchers hope this development will result in the creation of products targeting tooth enamel defects, and not just anti-cavity products, in order to help people who are more prone to cavities due to their genetic mutation.