Gum Diseases: Causes

Gum Diseases: Causes

There are several reasons for gum diseases or periodontitis. It is basically caused by plaque – a sticky and colorless layer that constantly forms on our teeth. Some of the causes of the gum diseases are listed below.

Smoking
We all know that smoking causes cancer, and many other deadly diseases. But many of us might not know that it also causes gum diseases. Studies have shown that tobacco users (smokers and those who chew tobacco) are most prone to periodontitis. Smoking not just cigarettes but even cigars or pipe is equally dangerous to periodontal health. Even after the treatment for the diseases is started, smoking cigarettes will hamper the healing process.

Genetics
Studies have shown that as high as 30% of the whole population may have hereditary trace of periodontitis – that they might have adopted the gum diseases from their parents and grand parents. These unlucky percentages of people are six times more at risk of getting the diseases even if they take good care of their teeth and gum. These people can however get preventive care before hand by finding out if they have genetic traces of the gum diseases.

Puberty and Pregnancy  
Women are unique, so is their health requirement. There are specific periods in a woman’s life when she needs to take extra care of her body. Some of these times are when she matures – puberty, when she changes – menopause, when she has menstruation or when she is pregnant. She experiences certain changes in her body during these times, and these changes require special attention. These changes also tamper with the tissues in her gums, which become more sensitive during those periods. That is why women may get the gum diseases during these times. Moreover, studies have also shown that the chances of pregnant women with gum diseases delivering low birth weight babies are seven times more than women who do not have gum diseases.

Stress
Stress in one thing that is a cause to many diseases. It is because stress is directly related to the brain and brain controls the whole body that diseases like hypertension and cancer. Not so surprisingly then, stress is also one of the reasons for the gum diseases. Stress makes it difficult for the body to fight the diseases.

Medicines
Medicines like oral contraceptives, anti-depressants, medicine for cancer treatment and some heart medicines can also cause the gum diseases. It is therefore important for you to inform your dentist of all the medicine you are taking for other illnesses too.

Grinding your teeth
Do not do things you don’t need to do with your teeth. Grinding and clenching your teeth puts unwanted pressure on your gum and supporting tissues, making them decay faster.

Diabetes
Diabetes is one of those diseases that handicap you to do certain things in life, which you otherwise take for granted. The disease basically causes the sugar level in the blood to grow. It causes the risk of infection, including in the gums.

Malnutrition
Low nutritional diet cannot fulfill the body’s requirement to fight off diseases, or the infections. Gum diseases are an infection, a serious one at that. Therefore malnutrition is also one of the causes of periodontitis.