Genetic and environmental factors in oral health among twins

To date,studies on the contributions of genetic factors to oral health have been inconclusive. we hypothesized that major dental diseases show a significant genetic component. the study was based on self-reported oral health among young adult twins. the data were derived from the fourth wave of the longitudinal finntwin16 study,in which participants completed a questionnaire in 2000-2002 enquiring about the number of filled teeth and the prevalence of gingival bleeding. we used quantitative genetic modeling,based on the genetic similarity of identical and non-identical twins,to calculate the most probable model for both filled teeth and gingival bleeding. the models revealed a strong genetic component behind the number of filled teeth,differing between males (49%) and females (68%),and a weaker genetic component affecting gingival bleeding,being similar for males and females (32%). genetic factors contribute to inter-individual differences in oral health among young adults.