Common Causes of Poor Gum Health
What is the most common cause of tooth loss among adults? If you answered cavities or tooth decay, you’d actually be wrong. The number-one cause of tooth loss among adults, by far, is gum disease. And while modern restorative dentistry offers a wealth of excellent options for replacing missing teeth, it is far better to recognize and avoid the causes of poor gum health to begin with.
At Smile Montreal, we offer a comprehensive range of treatments designed to promote excellent gum health and to diagnose and eradicate gum disease in its earliest possible stages. Furthermore, Dr. Charles Casey and Dr. Patrick Casey acquaint patients with the causes of poor gum health during consultations at their Montreal, QC office so that they can avoid them between visits. When it comes to the health of the gums, an ounce of prevention truly is worth a pound of cure.
Your gums can never be too healthy or too unhealthy to undergo a periodontal screening. We invite you to schedule yours today.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Poor Gum Health
There are hundreds of strains of bacteria that live in your mouth, and not all of them are harmful. In fact, some of them actually help to protect your teeth and gums, while others are simply neutral. The bacteria that are harmful, however, represent your gums’ worst enemies.
The fact is that you can never get rid of all of the harmful bacteria in your mouth, no matter how excellent your brushing habits or oral hygiene techniques. You can keep their population as minimal as possible, but there will always be some bacteria that you can’t reach. These bacteria will turn into a sticky substance called plaque, which will eventually turn into a hard substance called tartar. Tartar can only be removed by a dental professional.
People who visit the dentist regularly and have tartar removed will have the best chance at avoiding gum disease through early detection and treatment. Those who don’t, however, will be at risk for periodontitis, the more severe of the two forms of gum disease. This means that they will face the possibility of gum recession, jaw bone deterioration, and eventual tooth loss.
The way to avoid this pitfall is to visit the dentist at least twice a year. That’s the best way to avoid most oral health problems.
Other possible causes of poor gum health include:
- Smoking
- Orthodontic devices such as braces
- Misalignment of teeth and malocclusion (or a “bad bite”)
- Genetic predisposal to gum disease
- Stress
- Tooth grinding, or bruxism
- Pregnancy
- Menopause
- Dry mouth syndrome
- Diabetes
- Certain medications
- Puberty
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- HIV
- Aids
- Malnutrition
- Certain cancer treatments
Learn More about the Causes of Poor Gum Health
If you would like to learn more about the causes of poor gum health, or you want to schedule your initial consultation with one of our two esteemed dentists, please contact Smile Montreal today.
