Causes of Gum Disease

What Causes Gum Disease?

• Changes in hormones, such as those that occur during puberty, pregnancy, menopause, and menstrual cycles, can make the gums more sensitive, making gingivitis more likely to develop. The rise in hormones causes the blood vessels of the gums to become more vulnerable to bacterial attack. As puberty progresses, the spread of gingivitis varies between 70-90 percent.
• Other diseases could also affect the condition of your gums. This includes illnesses like cancer or HIV that affect our immune system. Since diabetes impacts the body's ability to utilize blood sugar, those suffering from this condition are at a higher risk of developing infections such as periodontal disease and dental cavities.
• The use of medications also impacts oral health because they decrease the flow of saliva that can protect the gums and teeth. Certain medicines like anticonvulsants and anti-angina drugs may result in abnormal development in gum tissues.
• Smoking or chewing tobacco can make it more difficult for gum tissue to heal itself.
• Poor oral hygiene permits bacteria from calculus and plaque to stay in the mouth and cause infection to gums, leading to the development of gingivitis.
• The family history of dental diseases may be a cause for the development of gingivitis.
• Crooked or overlaid teeth cause more places for calculus and plaque to build up and are more challenging to keep clean.
• Alcohol can negatively impact oral defense mechanisms.
• Stress hinders the body's immune counter to bacterial invasion.
• Mouth breathing can be a savage blow to gums if they are not secured by the lips, creating chronic inflammation and irritation.
• Insufficient nutrition, like eating a diet high in sugar and carbs, and water deficiency, can cause plaque to form. In addition, a lack of essential nutrients like Vitamin C is a risk to the healing process.