Gum disease is one of the leading oral health conditions in the country, estimated to impact one out of every two adults. Do you know if you’re at risk? At your routine checkups and cleanings with your dentist in Gainesville, they’ll screen you for gum disease and assess what habits and other factors could put you at a greater chance of developing it. Read on to learn five factors that could increase your chances of developing gum disease.
Genetics
If your parents or siblings have a history of gum disease, it’s more likely that you could develop the condition as well! This is because your genetic makeup can make you more susceptible to developing infections, mainly due to cytokine response. Cytokines are specialized proteins that help with white blood cell formation, and when their response is too weak or strong, it can affect the progression of infections like gum disease.
Age
Data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that 70 percent of Americans over 65 years old have some form of gum disease. This could be due to weakened immune response that occurs as you age, making it harder for your body to fight off infection.
Tobacco Use
Tobacco products, including vapes, have been shown to increase the risk of gum disease. This is because tobacco products lead to gum damage and dry mouth, which not only can increase the accumulation of infection-causing bacteria as well as gum and bone deterioration. As a result, smoking can not only increase your risk of developing gum disease, but also drastically progress the infection.
Certain Medications
Certain medications like tetracycline, heart medications, and chemotherapy can cause side-effects that lead to bacteria accumulation in the mouth, like dry mouth. Saliva helps to neutralize acidic waste produced by bacteria, and when you don’t produce as much of it, enamel erosion can occur at a faster rate and infection can progress faster.
Immunocompromising Conditions
If you have conditions that impact your immune system, like diabetes, it will also impact your body’s ability to fight off gum disease. Because of this, not only can the disease progress more quickly, but it can also be more difficult to treat.
About the Practice
At Lifetime Dental of Gainesville, Dr. Her and Dr. Pennington have decades of experience between them. With countless hours of continuing education courses under their belt and a commitment to preserving patients’ oral health, they aim to spot and treat the early signs of gum disease to prevent permanent oral damage from occurring. To schedule a checkup and cleaning or learn more about periodontal treatment, visit Lifetime Dental of Gainesville’s website or call 770-536-6688.