Your Genes May Make Starches More Risky for Tooth Decay

The number of copies of a specific gene affects your oral health, cavity risk, and how bacteria respond to starch in your mouth.

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Gene Influences How Bacteria Respond to Starch Adds to Previous Research

Your morning toast may be a hidden cause of tooth trouble.

Scientists have mapped a surprising genetic connection between eating starch and oral bacteria, finding that the number of copies of a single gene can increase the risk of developing tooth decay, suggesting that people should be extra careful about brushing after eating starchy foods, just like they would with sugary ones.

“Most people have been warned that if you eat a bunch of sugar, make sure you brush your teeth,” Angela Poole, senior author and assistant professor of molecular nutrition at the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the College of Human Ecology, said in a press release.

“The takeaway finding here is that depending on your AMY1 copy number, you may want to be just as vigilant about brushing your teeth after eating those digestible starches.”

Gene Influences How Bacteria Respond to Starch

The new study, published in Microorganisms, suggests that the number of AMY1 gene copies you have plays a crucial role in how the bacteria in your mouth respond to starch, potentially increasing the risk of cavities and gum disease for some people.

Starches are known to carry increased risk of cavities, because they’re high in carbohydrates, which break down into sugars in our mouths, Dr. Kemia Zeinali, a general dentist, told The Epoch Times.

“As the sugars and starches stick to your teeth, they are more likely to cause cavities from the enzymes in your saliva,” she said. “Even foods with little sugar but high in starch content can still cause damage to the enamel of your teeth.”

This gene provides instructions for making salivary amylase, an enzyme in the mouth that helps digest starch into sugar. It is present in all humans but the number of copies of this gene varies significantly between individuals, People with more copies of this gene can produce more of these enzymes.

Researchers sampled saliva from 31 participants, where AMY1 copy numbers varied from 2 to 20. Participants self-reported their gum disease status, categorizing it as periodontitis, gingivitis, gum recession, or none.

“In saliva samples with a high AMY1 copy number, the researchers saw increased populations of bacteria, like Streptococcus, that feed off the starch’s sugars,” Poole noted. “So you can have species behave differently based on the different substrates.” Streptococcus is a type of bacteria that’s the primary cause of cavities.

Streptococcus thrive on the sugars released by the breakdown of starch. The higher the number of AMY1 copies, the higher the production of this enzyme, which mean an increased availability of sugars affecting the types of bacteria in the mouth.

“[That] makes sense from a practical standpoint, because it would have given you a survival advantage when food is scarce, to be able to break down those starches more efficiently,” Pool said.

While the findings are an “important” announcement, there is not necessarily anything new to be concerned about, Zeinali said.

“Those who have the AMY1 gene may contribute to the prevalence of cavities and tooth decay, but starchy foods can contribute to these issues whether or not someone possesses the gene,” she said.

Adds to Previous Research

Previous research has already linked variations in the AMY1 gene to cavities and gum disease. Poole’s own earlier studies have found that people with a high number of AMY1 copies were more likely to have higher levels of a specific bacteria, Porphyromonas endodontalis, which is strongly associated with periodontitis, also known as gum disease.

Her latest study aimed to understand how the salivary amylase enzyme interacts with starch and how this affects the diverse population of bacteria in the mouth. “What we found was that there are other bacteria involved in these processes and that the changes depended on AMY1,” Poole stated.

The best ways to prevent tooth decay is by maintaining a regular oral hygiene routine, Zeinali said.

“Be sure to brush your teeth twice daily, floss at least once per day, and brush or scrape your tongue,” Zeinali added.

Attending regular dental check-ups and cleanings as well as proactively addressing issues with swift solutions will help prevent any oral health issues from going unnoticed, she added.

The AMY1 gene controls starch digestion with wide health impacts. Fewer copies mean less efficient digestion, altering gut bacteria and hunger signals—potentially increasing obesity and Type 2 diabetes risk.

While AMY1 variations ared linked to obesity, inflammation, and dyslipidemia, their effect on glucose metabolism remains unclear. What is known is that people with more AMY1 copies break down starches faster in the mouth, leading to quicker glucose absorption.

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