Causes of Gum Disease Happy Valley, OR
Gum disease is a serious oral health condition with serious consequences. It is a progressive disease, starting out as gingivitis, barely noticeable. Your only warning signs are red, swollen gums that may bleed when you brush or floss. These symptoms are often ignored, so the condition worsens. If it continues to go untreated, gum disease can lead to tooth loss and other health problems, such as heart disease, stroke, and respiratory issues. At Fusion Dental Specialists, we can treat your gum disease, and help you to take measures to prevent it from occurring again. However, to prevent gum disease, it’s important to understand the causes.
What causes Gum Disease?
Gum disease is caused by a buildup of plaque and oral bacteria. Plaque builds up on the surfaces of your teeth throughout the course of the day. It is a sticky substance that can trap oral bacteria. Eventually, it can harden into tartar, which is rough in texture, able to easily build up even more plaque. Oral bacteria multiply quickly, and feast on lingering food particles in your mouth. Your immune system releases substances that inflame the gum tissue to fight off the bacteria. Swollen gums pull away from their snug position against your teeth, creating pockets. These pockets allow plaque to build up under the gum line, as well as allow bacteria to fall below. Once below the gum line, plaque and bacteria are difficult to remove and grow rapidly. This causes even more inflammation. The periodontal ligaments that support your teeth, as well as your jawbone, are attacked and weakened.
Common Risk Factors for Gum Disease
There are several risk factors that significantly increase your risk of developing gum disease:
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Poor oral hygiene. Neglecting your oral hygiene is the biggest cause of gum disease. Regular brushing and flossing help to remove plaque and bacteria from the surfaces of your teeth. Dental visits every six months ensures a thorough cleaning and an exam to check for warning signs. Regularly skipping these steps can quickly result in the buildup of plaque and bacteria, and therefore contribute to gum disease.
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Smoking. Smoking restricts the oxygen in your blood, as well as blood flow in general. It also interferes with normal function of the gum tissue cells. All of this significantly increases your risk for gum disease.
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Drinking. Alcohol has a drying effect on the mouth. When your mouth is dry, it creates an environment conducive to bacterial growth.
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Certain medications. Certain medications can cause dry mouth.
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Hormonal changes. A shift in your hormones, such as during pregnancy, can make you more susceptible to gum disease. Typically, pregnancy-related gum disease goes away after pregnancy, but you should still seek dental treatment.
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Alignment issues. If your teeth are misaligned, it makes them harder to brush and floss properly, creating areas where plaque and bacteria can grow unchecked.
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Nutritional deficiencies. Vitamin C is well known for staving off gum disease. There are also plenty of other vitamins and minerals that are essential for aiding against inflammation and gum disease. A well-balanced diet is important to gum health.
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Family history. If members of your family have experienced gum disease, you are more likely to develop it yourself. |
Click here to learn about the Periodontal Antibiotic Treatment we offer at Fusion Dental Specialists.
Regular brushing twice a day, along with flossing daily, is essential to the prevention of gum disease. So, too, are visits to our office at least twice a year for professional cleanings and exams. We can help you to take the appropriate measures to prevent gum disease, whether it’s proper brushing technique, giving up certain vices, or fixing dental issues. For more information on gum disease, and to schedule your consultation, contact Fusion Dental Specialists today at (503) 653-2299! |