Periodontal disease is a common progressive dental problem next to tooth decay that can negatively impact your oral health. Blazing red, swollen, and easily bleeding gums are common symptoms of periodontal disease. But what exactly causes it? and compromised bone health can be debilitating and eventually end up in tooth loss.
The dentist in Upper East Side, New York, and their team have all the answers to your queries. The team offers holistic and compassionate oral care, but for this, the causes should be known. This helps design an appropriate treatment plan that can help restore oral health and appearance.
Periodontal disease, or gum disease, is a progressive destruction of the tissues surrounding and supporting your teeth, namely the gums and jawbone. |
What causes periodontal disease?
The following are some of the possible causes of periodontal disease:
Genetic factors
- You are six times more likely to develop periodontal disease if you have a family history due to genetic predisposition
Poor oral hygiene
- Lack of good oral habits can cause an increase in bacterial infiltration and plaque formation. This leads to the secretion of harmful toxins and acids that damage your teeth and surrounding structures.
Tobacco use in the form of smoking
- Smokers are more prone to gingival inflammation and bone loss due to poor healing, and vasoconstriction (narrowing of the blood vessels supplying your gums)
Hormonal changes
- Hormonal imbalance, as seen during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause, can wreak havoc on your oral health due to gum inflammation.
Chronic stress
- Stress greatly lowers the ability of your immune system to fight off disease. Your body’s defense mechanism is compromised, which causes gum disease.
Unhealthy diet
- A poorly balanced diet or malnutrition can lead to nutritional deficiencies that can also play a vital role in causing gum disease due to impaired healing ability.
Underlying health conditions
- Certain health conditions such as diabetes, arthritis, heart disease, or respiratory disease can increase your risk of periodontal disease.
- This is mostly attributed to poor healing and recovery rates.
Certain medications
- Drugs such as antihypertensives, oral contraceptive pills, steroids, antihypertensives, and antidepressants can negatively affect the overall health of the teeth and gums. They facilitate bacterial colonization and cause gingival swelling.
Bruxism
- Abnormal grinding or clenching of teeth is believed to damage the supporting tissue surrounding the teeth due to extreme forces exerted.
Knowing the cause of periodontal disease is crucial to provide an appropriate treatment. Symptomatic relief cannot resolve your dental issues permanently. Timely dental care can prevent the onset, progression, and recurrence of periodontal disease.