While not brushing and flossing on a regular basis is the primary reason most people develop gum disease, there are other, less common reasons for gingivitis. If you brush and floss your teeth on a regular basis and still develop gum disease, see your dentist. You may have a condition known to heighten your risk for gingivitis. Here are three factors that can raise your risk for gum disease and what you can do about them.
Hormonal Fluctuations
Hormonal fluctuations, especially those involving estrogen levels, can sometimes lead to gum problems. If you are a woman who is in menopause, you probably have declining estrogen levels. Not only can low estrogen levels cause diminished bone density in your spine and hips, it can also damage your teeth and jaw while also raising your risk for a severe form of gum disease known as periodontitis.
If you are menopausal, make sure you see your dentist regularly for gum-related dental services. He or she will examine your teeth and gums to determine if you have any loose teeth, gum recession, inflammation, or infection. In the meantime, make an appointment with your physician who can order a blood test to evaluate your hormone levels. If your estrogen level is low, your doctor may recommend that you consider hormone replacement therapy, which will help treat your gum disease and help prevent future bone destruction.
Chronic Sinusitis
Sinus problems, especially untreated or long-standing bacterial infections of the sinus cavity, can contribute to the development of gum disease. Sinusitis is often accompanied by post nasal drip. When bacteria-laden mucus from your nose slips down the back of your throat, it can contaminate your gum tissue, causing a secondary infection of the gums.
If you experience nasal congestion, a bad taste in your mouth, post nasal drip, or pain in your facial area, see your physician. If your doctor determines that you have a bacterial infection of the sinuses, you may need to take antibiotics. The antibiotics will help eliminate your sinus infection while helping to clear the infection in your gums.
Autoimmune Disease
While men can get autoimmune diseases, women are much more likely to be diagnosed with them. These disorders sometimes cause salivary gland dysfunction, and when this happens, your salivary glands may not produce enough saliva to wash away oral bacteria.
When your mouth is dry, harmful microorganisms can accumulate inside your mouth, raising your risk for cavities and gingivitis. If you have a dry mouth because of an autoimmune disorder, drink plenty of water and chew sugarless gum to help enhance salivary flow.
See your dentist if your gums appear redder than normal, if they are inflamed, or if they bleed. These signs are indicative of gingivitis and will need to be treated. The sooner your dentist treats your gum problems, the less likely you will be to experience severe periodontal disease.
Share25 May 2018
My son was outside playing with some friends when he accidentally fell down and hit his mouth on the sidewalk. The fall knocked out his front tooth, so I immediately placed the tooth in a small jar and added some milk. I rushed my son to the dental clinic and the dentist immediately took us into the examination room. The dentist placed the tooth back into the socket and saved it. My name is Beverly Tillman and thanks to the quick work of the dentist, my son didn't lose his tooth. Since this was a scary time for me and my son, I wanted to write this blog as a source of information for other parents who are facing a dental emergency. First of all, don't panic and get to your dentist as soon as possible. I hope this blog will help to answer your questions about dental emergencies.