What causes Gum Disease?
There are many factors which may cause gum disease
or make it worse. Each person has specific issues that will impact
upon their gum health. Basically, gum disease starts because there
is either too much bacteria or there is something that makes the
person susceptible to infection. The following are some of the factors
that contribute to the development of gum disease.
Oral Hygiene
Cleaning ones teeth and gums well are the best
manner of protection against gum disease. Most forms of gum disease
are thought to be caused by the bacteria that are in plaque and
tartar. If plaque is cleaned off before it turns into tartar, the
risk of damage is greatly reduced. There are many ways of keeping
teeth and gums clean. The first line of defence involves brushing
twice a day and flossing once a day. Just using a toothbrush and
floss are not enough and it is important that they be used properly.
Beyond these aids, mouthrinses and other cleaning tools might be
of help.
Smoking
Whether you smoke, dip or chew tobacco you are
more likely to have periodontal disease and to have it more severely
than those who do not use any form of tobacco. It also depresses
your immune system making you more susceptible to viruses and bacterial
infections. In recent years, tobacco use has been shown to be one
of the most significant risk factors for developing gum disease.
Research has shown that smokers have more tartar, deeper pockets,
and more tooth loss due to gum disease than non-smokers. Furthermore,
smokers do not respond as well to treatment of gum disease as non-smokers.
There are also certain forms of treatment of gum disease such as
bone grafting to replace lost bone or implants to replace lost teeth
that are significantly less successful in a smoker. In some cases,
smokers may not be candidates for certain treatments.
Genetics/
family history
In certain cases, there might be a family history
of gum disease. A genetic marker that does correlate with gum disease
has been identified. The exact link with gum disease, however, has
not been determined yet. In general, there tends to be a stronger
genetic component when gum disease starts earlier (under 35 years
old) or when it progresses rapidly. If a genetic link is suspected,
it is important to have children screened for gum disease from an
early age.
Large
fillings/ Crowns (Caps)/ Bridges:
When teeth are badly broken down they must be
restored with fillings, crowns or bridges. Although necessary to
remove infection and keep teeth intact, large fillings and crowns
(especially if they are below the gum line) make it harder to keep
teeth and gums clean.
Pregnancy
During pregnancy there is an increase in certain
hormones as well as other changes to various tissues such as blood
vessels. These changes can make women more susceptible to gum disease
as well as certain other mouth conditions. This can be particularly
worrisome because there are newer findings suggesting that when
pregnant women have gum disease there is an increased chance of
having a premature delivery and a lower birth-weight baby.
Medical Conditions/
Medications
Certain medical conditions can make you more
susceptible to gum disease. The most obvious are those that can
affect the immune system and the most common is diabetes.
Diabetes
Diabetes is a disease that causes altered levels of sugar in the
blood. While some diabetics control their disease with insulin,
most control it through diet and exercise. If you have diabetes,
you know that you have to work closely with your physician to monitor
the status of your diabetes and to keep it under control. In addition,
you should work closely with your dentist or periodontist to keep
your mouth and gums free from infection (Gum disease is an infection)
as this may have a significant impact on the control of your diabetes.
Diabetic patients are at a higher risk for developing all types
of infections including periodontal disease, which can impair your
ability to process and utilize insulin. This may cause the diabetes
to be more difficult to control and the infection to be more severe
than in a non diabetic patient.
For many years we have known that people with diabetes are more
likely to have periodontal disease than people without diabetes.
Other problems that may occur in diabetics are :
1. Delayed wound healing
2. Reduction of saliva may lead to an increase
of plaque and calculus accumulation which may lead to more advanced
periodontal disease. As well, a reduction in saliva flow can also
lead to an increase in cavity formation.
3. Burning mouth sensation
4. If your diabetes is not well controlled
then your dentist or periodontist may have to work closely with
your physician to keep your diabetes under control. Uncontrolled
diabetes makes your treatment of periodontal disease less predictable
and it may take longer to heal.
Recently, research has shown us that the relationship goes both
ways. Untreated periodontal disease may make it more difficult for
diabetics to control their blood sugar. In other words controlling
periodontal disease may help you to control your blood sugar.
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