Factors That May Negatively Affect Periodontal Health

Periodontal health is a serious matter. Most people seem to ignore bleeding gums when they brush or floss their teeth. Bleeding or swollen gums are a sure-fire sign that a patient’s periodontal health is at risk. If the issues are not addressed, the patient could get an infection that could destroy their gums and spread to other parts of their mouth. Gums support teeth, and if they are infected, the individual’s teeth may become loose and require extraction.

What is periodontal health?

"Peri" means around and "odontal" refers to teeth. Therefore, periodontal health involves the health of the structures around the teeth. These include the gums and the cementum that cover the root of the teeth.

Bacteria in dental plaque are the main cause of periodontal disease. In order to get rid of these bacteria, the patient’s immune system releases a substance that damages the gums and causes them to become inflamed. This can result in swollen and bleeding gums, which is a sign of gingivitis. If left untreated, the patient could suffer from periodontal disease and severe periodontitis.

Risk factors

Oral hygiene is the best way to maintain proper periodontal health. However, there are factors that can increase a person’s risk of suffering from periodontal disease. They include:

1. Smoking and use of tobacco

Smoking leaves tartar on a person’s teeth. This increases their risk of periodontal diseases. A smoker is also likely to lose more bone tissue as the periodontal disease gets worse.

2. Bruxism

Grinding, gritting and clenching teeth puts a great deal of force on them, and the pressure breaks down the periodontal ligaments and bones. Therefore, if a person’s gums are swollen, bruxism can make the situation worse. The patient may have to get a custom mouth guard to reduce the pressure of grinding or clenching their teeth.

3. Poor nutrition

Nutrition plays an important role in a person’s periodontal health. Patients should consume sufficient amounts of vitamin C in their diet. Severe vitamin C deficiency can cause scurvy and bleeding gums.

4. Braces and misaligned teeth

Braces, bridgework, crowded teeth or misaligned teeth can increase a person’s risk of suffering from periodontal diseases because they make it more difficult to brush or floss teeth. It is important for patients who have any of these issues to talk to their dentist so they can learn the best ways to clean their teeth. For example, there are special tools that can slide under braces and clean around bridgework.

5. Hormonal changes

Fluctuating hormones can have an effect on periodontal health and increase an individual’s chances of suffering from gum diseases. Pregnant, menopausal and pubescent women have a higher chance of contracting periodontal disease.

6. Stress

Stress and anxiety weaken the body’s immune function. Therefore, if a person has gum disease, stress makes the issue harder to treat. Stress also makes it difficult for the body to fight off infections.

Are you at a higher risk of suffering from gum disease? Visit one of our dentists for suggestions and treatment procedures that can help you keep your gums healthy and strong.

What’s the bottom line?

For more information or to schedule an appointment with Gilroy Dental Associates, request an appointment in our Gilroy dental office here: . Or call us at (408) 842-2818.