Top 10 Risk Factors of Gum Disease
Gum disease can lead to serious health problems if left untreated. Consequences that gum disease could have on your health over time include: premature birth, bad breath, tooth loss, and increased risk of heart attack, stroke, and osteoporosis.
Below are 10 risk factors that can increase your likelihood of developing gum disease. Although it’s possible to get gum disease without any risk factors, generally, the more risk factors you have, the more likely you are to develop gum problems.
- Poor dental hygiene
Poor dental hygiene increases your risk of developing gum disease because it encourages the formation of plaque and the buildup of harmful bacteria.
- Poor nutrition
A diet low in vital nutrients can increase your risk of cancer by weakening your immune system and making your body more susceptible to gum infections. Furthermore, eating sugars and other types of food that increase the acidity in your mouth encourage the growth of gum disease-causing bacteria, which thrive in acidic environments.
- Stress
Psychological stress, which is associated with various diseases, also plays a role in the development of gum disease. Stress affects immune system functioning and encourages the development of chronic inflammatory diseases, like periodontal disease.
- Smoking/tobacco use
According to research, smoking/tobacco use may be one of the most prominent risk factors in the development and progression of gum disease. Smoking/tobacco use causes deep pockets to form between your teeth and gums, leads to the build-up of calculus on your teeth, and causes the loss of bone and tissue that support your teeth.
- Genetics
Approximately 30% of the population is genetically susceptible to gum disease. Even if these people follow a strict oral healthcare routine, they are still six times more likely to develop gum disease than the other 70% of the population.
- Medications
Some types of medications, such as antidepressants, birth control pills, and heart medications, affect your oral health. In fact, gum overgrowth is a side effect of several different prescription drugs.
- Diseases
Diseases associated with gum disease include diabetes, osteoporosis, osteonecrosis, herpes, and HIV. These diseases cause changes in your health that put you at higher risk for developing gum problems.
- Puberty, pregnancy, and menopause in women
Although women typically take better care of their teeth than men, women are more susceptible to periodontal problems because of the role that female hormones play in gum health. Hormonal changes during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause can worsen existing gum problems, make your gums more sensitive, and make you more susceptible to gum disease.
- Clenching/grinding teeth
Clenching/grinding your teeth puts more stress on the tissues that support your teeth and can cause your gums to recede. Gum recession is part of gum disease as it indicates a loss of bone under the gums and exposes the soft roots to decay causing bacteria and damage from overuse of stiff toothbrushes.
- Age
Healthy children and teenagers generally do not harbor the bacteria that cause gum disease. The risk of developing gum disease increases as you age. 8.5% of adults between the ages of 20 and 64 have periodontal disease, while 17% of adults over the age of 65 have periodontal disease.
Do You Have Any of the Above Risk Factors?
Please
call 425.402.1246 or contact our
Woodinville Periodontal office to schedule a periodontal evaluation and find out what you can do to reduce your risk of developing gum disease.
Added on 06/07/2011
Filed Under
Dental Tips,
Health,
Preventative Care by LATEST NEWS from Dr. LaBell
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