<p>Studies and reviews on hereditary components of caries are published regularly. These studies are based on analyses of the human genome and statistical comparison with the average caries burden of cohorts studied. The analyses of the genome now cover extremely high numbers of gene variants. As a rule, associations between individual gene nucleotides or polygenetic scores constructed from several gene variants and the caries burden are determined. The methods used are generally variable and the recording of the caries burden also differs between the investigations. At best, current research can, thus, identify genetic markers that suggest an increased caries risk, but not the actual development of caries. The behavioral factors of diet and oral hygiene remain the most important determinants of caries etiology, as does the potential of caries preventive measures to avoid or inhibit caries.</p>