I get what you’re saying about luck, but do you think brushing and flossing matter more than people admit? My kid ate way fewer sweets than his friends but still had issues. I sometimes wonder if genetics or even how you brush play a bigger part than milk or snacks.
I sometimes wonder if genetics or even how you brush play a bigger part than milk or snacks.
Honestly, I’ve wondered the same. I mean, my brother and I grew up in the same house, ate the same food, and he somehow got the “cavity-prone” gene while I got lucky. He always blamed it on me hogging the toothpaste, but who knows.
Brushing and flossing definitely matter more than people like to admit—especially how you do it. My dentist told me you can brush three times a day and still miss spots if you’re just kind of waving the brush around like a magic wand (guilty as charged). But even then, some folks just have teeth that are basically made of Teflon... while others get cavities if they look at a cookie.
Milk gets all this credit for strong teeth, but honestly, I think it’s just part of the puzzle. Genetics and technique are huge. And let’s not forget plain old luck—sometimes it feels like that plays a bigger role than any of us want to admit.
But even then, some folks just have teeth that are basically made of Teflon... while others get cavities if they look at a cookie.
This cracked me up because I swear I’m in the “look at a cookie, get a cavity” camp. My partner barely brushes and never gets a single filling—meanwhile, I’m brushing like my rent depends on it and still forking over cash to the dentist. Milk? Eh, I drank plenty as a kid, but my wallet says genetics is winning this one. Technique and flossing are way more budget-friendly than chugging gallons of milk anyway.
Technique and flossing are way more budget-friendly than chugging gallons of milk anyway.
I get where you’re coming from—my dentist always hypes up brushing and flossing too, and yeah, they matter. But honestly, I don’t think it’s just down to genetics or technique. I used to roll my eyes at the “drink your milk for strong teeth” thing, but after switching to a mostly dairy-free diet a few years ago, my teeth started getting way more sensitive. Coincidence? Maybe. Still, I went back to eating yogurt and cheese (couldn’t do the milk itself), and things improved. Maybe it’s the calcium or vitamin D combo, not just the milk.
Genetics does play a part, but I wouldn’t totally write off nutrition either. There’s gotta be a middle ground—good habits, decent diet, and yeah, some folks just win the tooth lottery. I’m still bitter that my brother never flosses and somehow has perfect checkups every time...
I totally relate to the “tooth lottery” thing—my sister’s the same way. She’s got this sweet tooth, barely brushes half the time, and never gets a cavity. Meanwhile, I’m over here with my electric toothbrush, fancy floss, mouthwash... and still get those “areas to watch” at every cleaning. Genetics is wild.
But yeah, I think you’re onto something about nutrition. When I was in college, I went vegan for a year (mostly for budget reasons, tbh) and my teeth started feeling weirdly sensitive too. Once I added some dairy back in—mostly cheese and the occasional yogurt—it actually got better. Maybe it’s just the calcium, or maybe there’s something else in dairy that helps? Hard to say.
Technique definitely matters, but diet seems to play a bigger role than people admit. I guess it’s all about balance—good habits AND not skimping on nutrients. Still wish I could swap dental records with my sister for a year though...