Main Causes of Gum Diseases

If you have swollen or puffy gums then it may be symptomatic of gum diseases like gingivitis or even worse, periodontitis. If you experience such symptoms, you should definitely see a Periodontist in the Woodlands.

There are several causes of gum disease including:

Plaque Accumulation

The number one cause of gum disease is plaque buildup. Plaque is a film of bacteria that forms on gum and teeth. However, it can be removed by brushing, flossing, and rinsing with mouthwash.

Millions of people will develop some form of gum disease due to plaque at some point in their lives. Fortunately, if you recognize the condition early it is easily reversible.

Smoking and Chewing Tobacco

Smoking and Chewing Tobacco

Smoking is a nasty habit and not only because it can cause lung cancer but also because of it a major cause of gum disease. It affects the normal functioning of the cells in your gum making them vulnerable to infections and gum disease.

Chewing tobacco is just as debilitating. The only solution here is to completely abandon the habit.

Medication

Medication

 There are some prescription medicines that can have an adverse effect on your gums. They will usually do so by impeding the production and flow of saliva in your mouth and cause your mouth to be extremely dry.

When you have a dry mouth, your mouth is more susceptible to bacterial infection than it otherwise would be. Therefore, if you want healthier gums you should conclusively discuss your prescription medication with your doctor.

Poor Nutrition

Poor Nutrition

As with your overall health, you are what you eat. It may be difficult to consume all the vitamins and minerals necessary for proper gum health but you should ensure you get a balanced diet.

Vitamin C is especially crucial to the health of your gums. If your diet consists of high amounts of sugar and carbohydrates, then you are all but setting yourself up for gum disease.

Family History

Family History

If there is a history of gum disease in your family lineage, then you are at a higher risk of contracting gum disease than someone whose family has been deficient of gum disease.

You should notify your dentist of this and they will come up with a solution which will help you avoid gum disease. You may have to do more than others in order to prevent the malaise.

Crooked Teeth

Crooked Teeth

Teeth can overlap or become crooked for several reasons. What is sure is that crooked teeth are optimal breeding areas for bacteria which make you prone to gum disease.

The reason is that the misalignment of the teeth leaves more spaces than normal teeth where bacteria can hide and multiply. If you have crooked teeth you should get them fixed. If you cannot, you should ensure you floss those spaces every day.

Hormonal Fluctuations

Hormonal Fluctuations

Women experience drastic hormonal fluctuations when they are pregnant or undergoing their menstrual cycle. These hormonal fluctuations put them at a higher risk of getting gum disease than normal.

Women who are pregnant or in their period should take greater care of their teeth to avoid getting gum disease. Symptoms such as inflammation or irritation of the gums will likely disappear after menstruation or pregnancy.