Oral DNA

Can a genetic test predict your risk of developing future cavities or severe gum disease? The answer, at this point in time, is no. There are commercially marketed tests that claim to measure risk of disease or susceptibility to future disease. Predictive genetic tests look for clues in your Oral DNA that could indicate whether you are at risk of developing certain diseases or medical conditions. For these tests, you are often asked to swab your cheek or mail a saliva sample back to a lab. The company follows up with results and may or may not provide a consultation with a medical professional. However, just because you have a DNA “marker” associated with a particular disease, it does not mean you will ultimately develop the disease. …