{"id":692,"date":"2026-01-26T18:51:38","date_gmt":"2026-01-26T18:51:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.flennikendental.com\/blog\/?p=692"},"modified":"2026-01-26T18:51:39","modified_gmt":"2026-01-26T18:51:39","slug":"gum-disease-and-genetics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.flennikendental.com\/blog\/gum-disease-and-genetics\/","title":{"rendered":"Understanding the Link Between Gum Disease and Genetics"},"content":{"rendered":"
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You’re probably already aware that poor oral hygiene practices can easily lead to gum disease<\/a>. But did you know that your family history could make a difference as well? Researchers have found that specific genetic factors could put certain patients at a higher risk for developing a gum infection. To help you protect your smile, here’s a look at how your genes can have an impact on the health of your gums.<\/p>

Gum Disease and Genetics<\/h2>

Studies show that around 30% of people have a genetic factor that causes problems with their cytokine response. Cytokines are special proteins that play a role in activating the immune system to fight infections. If there’s an issue with your cytokine response due to your genetics, then you could be significantly more likely to suffer from an advanced form of gum disease.<\/p>

Note that even if your genetics put you at a higher risk for gum disease, that doesn’t necessarily guarantee that you’ll develop it. That being said, if you know that you have a family history for gum disease, you should take that as a sign to be extra diligent about taking care of your smile.<\/p>

How Can You Protect Yourself From Gum Disease?<\/h2>

While you can’t change the genetic factors that might make you susceptible to gum disease, you can take various steps to protect the health of your gums, such as:<\/p>