Factors Increase the Risk of Gum Disease

 

Any illness affecting the bones, ligaments, and gums that support the teeth is referred to as periodontal disease. The gums swell up during gingivitis, the disease's initial stage. The integrity of the teeth is put at risk when it develops into periodontitis because it affects both the soft and hard tissues that hold the teeth in place. Periodontal disease affects some persons more than others. These are a few typical risk factors:

Poor oral hygiene: Plaque build-up is the main cause of gum disease due to poor oral hygiene. When things get hectic, we could neglect our oral hygiene more frequently. This enables bacteria in the mouth to create a biofilm (plaque) that leads to gum irritation.

Hereditary: Some persons have a higher genetic risk of developing gum disease. Take a look at your family tree. Have any of your kin had tooth loss or gum disease?

Pregnancy: Because of how sensitive to hormone changes gums are, pregnant women frequently have "pregnancy gingivitis," an inflammation of the gums. Gum disease starts with gingivitis, which is characterised by red, swollen gums that bleed readily.

Age: As people get older, their risk of acquiring gum disease rises. An advanced form of gum disease called periodontitis affects more than 70% of Americans aged 65 and older. Other illnesses, drugs that induce dry mouth, or other factors that contribute to plaque formation may have an impact on this.

Diet: Consuming an excessive amount of simple carbohydrates (such as those in mashed potatoes, white bread, sugar, and white rice, for example) is associated with chronic inflammation in the body, which raises the risk of gum disease.

Use of medication: Dry mouth can be a side effect of various drugs, including antidepressants and some cardiac medications. It is more challenging to wash food particles off your teeth when there is less saliva in the mouth. A decrease in saliva raises the risk of cavities and, at its worst, periodontal disease since saliva also carries potent antibodies that aid in the battle against bacteria.

Teeth clenching and grinding: If you clench and grind your teeth frequently (bruxism), you may be increasing your chance of getting gingivitis. When you grind your teeth, whether unintentionally or out of stress, you exert a lot of pressure on them, which causes them to become loose and develop spaces between the roots and the gum tissue. Gum disease may develop if bacteria in these pockets build up and are not cleaned out.

Systemic diseases: The body's inflammatory system and immune system are both negatively impacted by underlying systemic disorders such diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and heart disease. Circular relationships exist between systemic diseases and gum disease. In the same way that systemic illnesses might make gum disease more likely, systemic conditions can also increase the risk for gum disease. Seeking the appropriate periodontal and medical care is essential because many diseases are curable or manageable.

Smoking or tobacco use: Smoking has been shown to reduce the body's capacity to fight infection, making gum disease treatment and the recovery of gum tissue more challenging after a diagnosis. According to research in the Journal of Dental Research, smokers have a twofold increased risk of developing periodontal disease throughout the course of their lives. If you smoke, giving it up can preserve your smile, enhance your general health, and lower your risk of developing conditions that are much worse than gum disease.

Stress: It has been demonstrated that psychological and emotional stress reduces the body's ability to fight illness. It has been discovered that patients who are under stress have worse periodontal disease. This is particularly valid when someone experiences a life crisis (divorce, loss of job, death of a family member, etc). It is crucial to maintain regular dental check-ups and appropriate brushing and flossing routines when under a lot of stress. It's critical to learn how to manage stress. During stressful circumstances, one may also start or increase the frequency of a damaging bite habit. Tell your dentist about your higher levels of stress so they can look for any signs of periodontal disease or damaging bite patterns.