Risk
Factors for Periodontal Disease
Are there certain factors that may increase your susceptibility of developing gum disease? Absolutely! Although gum infections are preventable, additional elements can come into play that cause your condition to progress faster and more aggressively than other individuals.
The older you are, the more aggressive your gum disease is likely to be. The CDC states that 47% of adults over the age of 30 have at least some form of gum disease. However, the prevalence jumps to 70% for adults ages 65 and over.
If you are someone who smokes, you’re at a higher risk of developing gum disease. Tobacco use also makes it more challenging to recognize the warning signs, allowing the infection to become more aggressive than if you were not a smoker.
It’s common to hear people say that gum disease “runs in the family.” Although some individuals may have a genetic predisposition for the condition, it’s still preventable. That being said, the specific strain of bacteria responsible for causing periodontal infections can be spread through kissing or sharing eating utensils. More recent studies have started to suggest that mothers with dental problems tend to have children with those same oral health issues (including tooth decay).
Chronic stress can affect everything from your blood pressure to your mental health. As your immune system becomes suppressed, it can place you at a higher chance of developing underlying medical issues (and worsening of your existing problems.) Your oral health is no different!
Certain types of prescription drugs can mimic the appearance of gum disease, making it difficult for you to recognize whether there’s an actual infection. For instance, some types of seizure and blood pressure medications can cause “gingival overgrowth” that looks like swelling. Chemotherapy drugs can also cause physical changes inside of your mouth — like bleeding and tenderness — mimicking gum disease. If you have a known case of periodontitis, prescription and over-the-counter antacids, antihistamines, antidepressants, pain relievers, and decongestants may irritate your gum tissues to the point that home care becomes an uphill battle.
Moderate to severe periodontal disease compromises the integrity of your teeth. As gums recede and bone shrinks back, there’s less of a “base” to hold your teeth securely in place. If you’re someone with a known clenching or grinding habit on top of existing periodontitis, the intense pressure that it places on your remaining tissues may cause them to give out even more quickly.
Specific types of nutritional deficiencies can lead to more aggressive oral infections. When your body doesn’t have the nutrients it needs to repair itself, infections can be more difficult to recover from. A deficiency in Vitamins D, B6 and B12 can contribute to the development of periodontal disease. And in contrast, an addition of Vitamin C to your diet can aid in “maintaining and repairing the healthy connective tissue” affected by gum infections.
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