It really does feel like a roll of the dice sometimes.
Honestly, I’ve wondered the same thing. My niece was a brushing superstar and still ended up with a mouthful of fillings by age three. Meanwhile, her little brother basically treats his toothbrush like a chew toy and his dentist always says “perfect teeth!” Genetics really do play a sneaky part. Still, like you said, it’s worth keeping up the routine—at the very least, it helps me sleep at night (even if my wallet’s wide awake).
I get what you’re saying about genetics—my family’s got a long line of “bad teeth” stories, so I always figured I was doomed no matter what. But then my dentist mentioned that diet and habits can sometimes tip the scales, even if your genes aren’t on your side. My cousin’s twins are a wild example: same DNA, but the one who nursed to sleep every night had way more cavities than her brother who didn’t. Makes me wonder if it’s not just luck, but those tiny routines adding up over time...
- Gotta say, I’m not totally sold on the whole “habits over genes” thing.
- My brother and I grew up in the same house, same food, same brushing routine. He got a bunch of cavities before kindergarten, I had none until middle school.
- We both fell asleep with bottles sometimes, so it wasn’t like one of us had perfect habits.
- Our dentist used to say some kids just have softer enamel, or their mouths are shaped in a way that traps more food. Not much you can do about that as a baby.
- I get that routines matter, but sometimes it really does feel like a roll of the dice.
- Also, I’ve seen parents who are super strict about sugar and brushing, and their kids still end up with fillings by age two.
- Not saying ignore habits—obviously they help—but I wouldn’t beat yourself up if your kid gets a cavity early. Sometimes it’s just how it goes.
- Honestly, feels like there’s a lot we still don’t know about why some babies get cavities and others don’t, even in the same family.
- I guess what I’m saying is, yeah, habits are important, but luck (and maybe genes) play a bigger part than people want to admit.
My youngest got her first cavity at 18 months, and I was honestly shocked. We brushed, watched sugar, did everything “right.” Her older brother didn’t get a single one until he was 8. Genetics definitely seem to play a role, but I still think habits give you a fighting chance. It’s frustrating, though—sometimes you do all the right things and it still happens.
Genetics definitely seem to play a role, but I still think habits give you a fighting chance. It’s frustrating, though—sometimes you do all the right things and it still happens.
I totally get that frustration. My oldest had zero issues, but my second kid had two cavities before age 2, even though we followed the same routine. It made me realize just how much genetics and maybe even things like enamel strength matter. Did your dentist mention anything about hypoplasia or thinner enamel? I was surprised how much those little differences can tip the scales, regardless of brushing or diet.
