Gum Disease Causes

What is gum disease? What causes gum disease? How can gum disease be prevented? These are only a few of the many questions surrounding the issue of gum disease.

Gum disease is just one of the many causes of tooth loss in adults. Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, consists of an inflammation of the gums, and often goes unnoticed for years by those with the condition.

Gum disease, or periodontal disease, has two main stages: gingivitis and periodontitis. Gingivitis is the inflammation of the gingiva, or gums, without the loss of the bones while periodontitis is gingivitis with bone loss. The loss of the bones around the teeth is the factor that differentiates these two stages of gum disease.

What causes gum disease?

Gum disease is caused an increase in bacteria on the teeth and gums of an individual. Bacteria are present in plaque. Plaque is a clear and sticky substance that the mouth constantly produces. If plaque is not eliminated immediately, it will accumulate on the teeth. This accumulation is the main cause of gum disease.

The bacteria found in plaque feeds on sugar from food and drinks that you ingest and produces toxins and other chemicals. These toxins will irritate the gums causing them to easily swell or bleed when brushed. Plaque can also harden into calculus, more commonly known as tartar. Tartar is a mineral build-up that will further irritate the gums and can cause the loss of the teeth.

There are many other factors in the development of gum disease aside from bacteria. Poor oral hygiene is one of the many causes of gum disease. Smoking cigarette or the use of chewing tobacco is also one of the main causes of gum disease.

The hormonal changes of females (e.g. puberty, menopause, pregnancy) can contribute to the development of gum disease. Certain medications like birth control pills, antidepressants, or heart medications can also lead to gum disease.

Crooked teeth may also lead to gum disease (because of the formation of plaque on some hard to clean area in between the teeth). Accumulation of dental calculus, misaligned teeth, defective or rough edges of fillings and dentures, crowns or bridges that do not fit properly can all provide conditions in which gum disease can develop.

If you have swollen or shiny gums, mouth shores, gums that easily bleeds even with gentle brushing of the teeth, itchiness in the gums, have gums that are bright red or purple in color or a receding gum line, you may already have gum disease. Visit your dentist right away.

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