| One of the main causes of gum disease is from | | | | the best ways to keep your teeth clean. If you have |
| bacteria found in plaque. But there are many other | | | | crooked and misaligned teeth, your dentist will |
| contributing factors that can cause it. These factors | | | | recommend you visit the orthodontist. This will help |
| include medications, other disease conditions, and | | | | make your smile straight and increase your chances |
| dental habits. These factors can make you prone to | | | | of avoiding gum disease. |
| periodontal disease or exacerbate it once the | | | | While grinding or clinching your teeth won't necessarily |
| infection sets in. | | | | cause a gum problem, it can lead to more problems if |
| Scientific research leads us to believe up to 30% of | | | | your gums are already irritated. These habits exert |
| the general population may carry a genetic trait that | | | | extra force on the teeth speeding up the destruction |
| makes them more susceptible to developing gum | | | | of periodontal ligament and bone. If you have this |
| infection. But just because you carry the gene does | | | | destructive habit, consult with your dentist about |
| not guarantee you'll develop the disease. It has been | | | | wearing a custom night guard. |
| shown that individuals who are highly susceptible to | | | | Increased stress can also raise your chances of |
| this disease because of their genetic makeup can | | | | developing gum problems. Stress depletes your |
| prevent or keep the disease under control with good | | | | body's defense system making it difficult to ward off |
| dental hygiene. | | | | infection, including gum infections. |
| One habit that increases your chance of developing | | | | Hormones can play a factor in the development of |
| this disease is smoking. There is a direct correlation | | | | this disease process. As your hormones fluctuate, |
| between the amount of time you smoke and your | | | | changes can develop in your mouth. Conditions such |
| susceptibility to developing this disease. If you have | | | | as pregnancy, menopause or puberty can temporarily |
| existing gum problems, smoking will only make it | | | | increase your chances of developing this disease. |
| worse. Smoking makes it difficult to treat periodontal | | | | Medications play a role in the health of your gums. |
| disease. People who smoke develop more tartar on | | | | Several types of medications can lead to an area |
| their teeth and form deeper gum pockets once they | | | | that if the throne dry mouth, or xerostomia. Without |
| develop the disease. They are also prone to losing | | | | an adequate flow of saliva, plaque quickly begins to |
| more bone as the infection gets worse. Unlike the | | | | form. Other medications can cause your gums to |
| other causes that can affect the health of your | | | | become swollen, which also makes them prone to |
| gums, you actually have control over your smoking | | | | accumulating plaque. |
| habit. One significant step a smoker can take to keep | | | | Certain disease conditions also contribute to the |
| his or her gum infection under control is to quit | | | | development of periodontal disease. People with |
| smoking. | | | | diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and HIV infections have |
| Anything in your mouth that makes it difficult to | | | | a hard time controlling their gum infections. Be sure to |
| brush and floss will lead to extra plaque and tartar | | | | visit your dentist for proper guidance on maintaining |
| forming on your teeth. The more plaque and tartar | | | | your dental health. |
| you develop, the greater the risk of contracting a | | | | A good diet is also important for your overall physical |
| gum infection. Only a trained dental professional such | | | | and dental health. If you're suffering from a severe |
| as your family dentist or periodontist can show you | | | | vitamin C deficiency, you'll experience bleeding gums. |