Periodontal “gum” disease is an oral health condition that occurs when plaque and tartar buildup at the gums irritates tissue, leading to a breakdown between the supportive soft tissue and bone. Gum disease affects roughly half of US adults over the age of 30, and advanced gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss for patients over the age of 35. With proper at-home hygiene and regular trips to the dental office, most patients can avoid gum disease, but there are certain factors that increase your risk for gum disease. In this post, we’ll discuss four of the most common variables that increase the risk for periodontal disease.
1 – Age
As we get older, we are more susceptible to a number of oral and whole body health concerns, including gum disease. Hormonal fluctuations, decreased immune response, and other changes in health that occur as we age significantly impact oral health. Being aware of bodily changes and addressing oral health concerns immediately, can help you avoid gum disease and keep your smile healthy.
2 – Genetic Predisposition
Everyone has thousands of oral bacteria, but not all bacteria are as hard on your smile. Certain people have higher amounts of certain oral bacteria that are more likely to cause gum disease. If this is the case, you can work with a dentist to plan better at-home hygiene and/or more frequent professional cleanings to limit your chances for developing gum disease.
3 – Stress
Some people have difficulty processing stress, and their anxieties can adversely impact their health. That includes oral health. At times of stress, patients should take special care of their smiles to avoid oral health concerns, including gum disease.
4 – Certain Medications
Certain prescription medications can increase risk for gum disease. This can occur because the medications lead to dry mouth, limit immune function, or cause other side effects that can impact your smile. If you have changed or added a medication to your daily routine, let your dentist know right away, so they can help you adjust your oral hygiene routine to keep your smile healthy.
Meet the Eaddy Dentistry Team
At Eaddy Dentistry in Austin, we offer patients personalized dental care plans to help them keep their smiles healthy for life. When you visit our team for your dental care needs, we’ll partner with you to achieve your healthiest smile, avoid oral health conditions like periodontal disease, and provide education to help you better understand how to keep your smile healthy at-home. Call our team to find out more or schedule your preventive dental checkup and teeth cleaning appointment.
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