The mouth, also known as the oral cavity, describes the part of the body bound by the cheeks, lips, palate and floor of the mouth. The mouth contains the tongue, teeth, the gums and bones supporting the teeth and the salivary glands. Genetic diseases, which are those passed from parent to child, occur because of a change or mutation in a gene in the DNA. Many diseases affect the oral cavity and its contents, and most of them have a genetic component, according to the Louisiana State University Medical School.
Cleidocranial Dysplasia
Cleidocranial dysplasia, a genetic disease, affects the development of bones and teeth. Children inherit this disease in an autosomal dominant pattern, meaning it requires only one copy of the defective gene. A mutation in the RUNX2 gene that provides instruction for making a protein necessary for bone and cartilage development causes cleidocranial dysplasia, according to "Genetics Home Reference."
This disease affects the bones of the face causing a wide skull, a prominent forehead, a flat nose and a small upper jaw. Children born with cleidocranial dysplasia lose their baby teeth late and their adult teeth develop late and appear unusually shaped. Because of changes to the bone surrounding the oral cavity, the teeth and jaws do not align.
Amelogenesis Imperfecta
Amelogenesis imperfecta describes a genetic disease that affects the development of teeth. Three genes, AMELX, ENAM and MMP20, provide instructions for producing proteins necessary for normal tooth development. A change in any of these genes can result in amelogenesis imperfecta. In fact, "Genetics Home Reference" reports that 14 forms of the disease exist, some of which inherit in an autosomal dominant pattern, some in autosomal recessive pattern requiring two copies of the altered gene and others in an X-liked pattern because the gene occurs on the X chromosome.
Amelogenesis imperfecta causes the enamel of both baby and permanent teeth to be soft and thin. This results in small, pitted and discolored teeth. Because it is the enamel that provides teeth their strength, amelogenesis imperfecta causes teeth to be brittle.
Periodontal Disease
Periodontal disease describes a group of conditions that cause a gap to form between the gums and the teeth. One type of periodontal disease, gingivitis, damages the gums while periodontitis damages the bone and connective tissues supporting the teeth. About 75 percent of U.S. adults suffer from some level of periodontal disease, according to the University of Maryland Medical School.
Although many factors contribute to the onset of periodontal disease, 30 percent of cases involve a genetic factor, according to the University of Maryland Medical School. Those genetically susceptible to possessing the bacteria that leads to periodontal disease should reduce other risk factors including smoking and ingesting foods that promote a sugar and acid oral environment.
