Conditions that may Cause Gum Disease |
While bacterial plaque is the primary cause of periodontal disease, several other secondary causes can contribute in developing periodontal diseases. It is not clear if the following conditions are actual causes of gum disease, but they are believed to increase the risk, severity, and speed of gum disease development.
Besides dental plaque, other conditions that may cause gum disease problems include:
Usage of several types of medications is included among the causes of periodontal diseases. Medications such as blood pressure medicines, steroids, some types of anti-seizure drugs, cancer treatment drugs, some hypertension medicines and oral contraceptives can all affect the gums, making them more susceptible to gum disease.
Some of the drugs, such as antidepressants and some heart medicines, reduce the flow of saliva which is known to have a protective effect for teeth and gum tissue lowering the mouth’s defence to infections. Others cause an overgrowth of gum tissue, so that removing plaque becomes more difficult, promoting the development of gingivitis. Always inform your dentist about any medications you take, so that he can advice you on additional gum disease preventive measures, if needed.
Smoking is considered as one of the most significant behavioral factors in the development and progression of periodontal disease. Smokers show 2-7 times higher possibility to develop periodontitis than non smokers.
Smoking reduces the effectiveness of the immune system, suppressing the production of antibodies directed against some of the harmful bacteria, allowing them to grow uncontrolled and cause gum disease. Smoking has been found to promote inflammation and bone loss. Quitting smoking must be a part of any prevention or treatment plan for periodontal disease.
Wisdom teeth that have failed to erupt or have only partially erupted from gums are usually responsible for the inflammation and infection of the gums surrounding the crown of the impacted tooth. This type of localized periodontal disease, called pericoronitis, is commonly resolved with the extraction of the wisdom tooth.
Harmful bacteria that cause gum disease can be transmitted from one person to another. If a family member has periodontal disease, the risk is increased for the rest of the family members. Avoid kissing a person you know having gum disease, and never share your toothbrush.
Several other factors increase the risk for periodontal disease, by either contributing to the formation of bacterial plaque or/and by reducing the body’s ability to respond to bacterial infections.