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Do You Have Any of These Risk Factors for Developing Gum Disease?

January 14, 2019

Do You Have Any of These Risk Factors for Developing Gum Disease?

Gingivitis is a term many people are family with but many people do not realize that it is actually the first stage of gum disease. Gingivitis can lead to red, inflamed gums that bleed during brushing or flossing. The good news about gingivitis is that it is the first stage of gum disease and can often be reversed without long-term consequences.

All it takes is a few changes to your lifestyle. However, if it is not treated, then it can turn into a much more serious case of gum disease that can cause a host of problems – even lost teeth. While anyone can get gum disease, there are certain factors that make a person have a higher risk. Keep reading to learn about those risk factors. If you are worried that you have gum disease, contact your dentist at (800) 407-0161 to make an appointment.

You don’t take good care of your teeth

One of the biggest causes of gum disease is poor at-home oral health care. This is because gum disease actually occurs due to harmful bacteria building up. If you do not brush and floss as well as you should, or as often as you should, then that bacteria is allowed to run amuck. We recommend brushing twice per day and flossing once per day. Be sure to visit your dentist every six months as well.

You smoke

The list of reasons a person should try to quit smoking is very long and smokers are aware of most of them. However, we find at California Dental Group that may patients don’t realize that smoking can actually contribute to the development of gum disease. For one thing, it weakens the immune system, which can weaken the body’s ability to fight off gum disease-causing bacteria.

You have certain genetic traits

The fact of the matter is that two people can have identical oral health care habits and one of them may get gum disease while the other doesn’t. This is because genetics play a part. If you have a family who has a high rate of gum disease then you are more at risk. If no one in your family has gum disease then you are at lower risk. Note that the biggest factor is still going to be how well you take care of your gums.

You’re of a certain age

The older a person gets, the more likely they will be to develop gum disease. There are several reasons for this, including the fact that if a person has diabetes they are more likely to have gum disease – and people become more likely to have diabetes as they get older. There are also many medications people often take as they age, and these medications can cause dry mouth. Saliva is a great deterrent to gum disease and if enough is not produced, a person can be at a higher risk for gum disease.

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