Common Causes of Gum Disease

Those who suffered from it know how bad gum disease is: puffy, swollen and painful gums, occasional bleeding during tooth brushing…However, many people ignore the first signs of it and only start worrying when pain is constant and their teeth start moving. By that time, they may risk losing one or several teeth.

At the same time, there are lots of misconceptions concerning gum disease, as well as unproven cures and treatments for it. The truth is that if herbal teas and essential oil were effective, most dentists would be out of business. This does not mean that proper mouth hygiene can help prevent or mitigate the effects of gum disease. But the final word belongs to the dentists.

So, Is Gum Disease Preventable?

The answer is yes and no. Opting for a healthy diet and brushing, flossing and using mouthwash every day will help a lot. But sometimes, even the most careful person can develop gum disease.

To help understand why it is so, we prepared a list of common causes of gum disease:

  1. Plaque Buildup

Plaque represents the accumulation of food residues in difficult areas around the teeth. It is mainly caused by lack of flossing and using mouthwash after brushing the teeth. As  plaque accumulates, it can attack sensitive and weakened areas of the gums (especially in case of overly vigorous tooth brushing).

dentist Littleton CO

This is why frequent teeth cleaning by the best dental practice is necessary. The over the counter teeth whitening kits do not remove plaque effectively and completely. You need a professional teeth cleaning with specialized devices and substances.

  1. Hormonal Changes

Gum disease can be triggered by hormonal changes women experience during the period and in pregnancy. This is why dental care is an extremely sensitive issue for pregnant women.

Many women experience puffy and red gums during pregnancy. It does not always mean that they suffer from gum disease. However, it is better to be safe than sorry. Check with your dentist regularly.

  1. Smoking or Chewing Tobacco

Tobacco is one of the most detrimental effects to health. We will not refer to the long list of life threatening conditions that are directly linked to tobacco. For the purposes of this article, we will only say that frequent tobacco use can cause gum disease.

At the same time, tobacco stains the teeth, giving them an unappealing and unhealthy yellow aspect.

  1. Unhealthy Diet

Lots of sugars and not enough vitamin C and liquids are bad for your teeth and gums. Sugar attacks the enamel of the teeth and causes cavities. And lack of vitamin C makes the gums frail and prone to disease.

  1. Prescription Medication

Some drugs prescribed for preexisting conditions cause your mouth to feel dry due to reduced production of saliva. This is not only inconvenient, but also dangerous for your health. Dry gums are more vulnerable to bacteria and gum disease.

  1. Genetic Inheritance

In some cases, gum disease is passed from parents to children. It is not fully clear how it happens, and what gene is responsible for this. If you know several family members with gum disease, you should take extra care to prevent its onset.