Root resorption and/or receding gums - genetic?

[musicalme]

My mom had braces in the 60's. When she considered getting them again 10-15 years ago, she was told she couldn't because of her short roots and receding gums. We don't know if that was caused by the braces or not.

My teeth are crowded in the exact same way as my mom's (i.e. I have her mouth). Anyone know if there's a genetic link behind root resorption or receding gums? I'm still in that "I want braces but I haven't decided if they're worth it" phase, and this is one of the things I'm worried about.

[kennyandrew85]

You won't believe this but.. me, both my brothers and my mum all have a receding gum on the same tooth, one of the bottom front ones.

I think there is possibly some sort of genetic link, but i doubt braces in the 21st century will cause excessive gum loss if your hygeine is good.

[starfish88]

Root resorption is very different from gum recession. Root resorbption can stop you getting braces if it is severe as it will mean your teeth don't have enough support from the bone. i'm not sure if it is hereditarty or not. Gum recession is different and can be caused by a bad bite as well as poor hygeine. If your bad bite is causing gum recession then thats a reason to get braces not something thats stopping you. My bad bite is genetic and my parents have gum recession where I do. my sister did but braces fixed that so i'm hoping braces will fix it for me too. Obviously if the gum recession was caused by poor hygeine then maybe braces arn't for you as they only make it harder to clean your teeth. good luck though, most people here would say braces are totally worth it.