Factors affecting the Health of Your Gums
Other important factors affecting the health of your gums include:
- Tobacco Use
- Diabetes
- Stress
- Clenching and grinding teeth
- Medication
- Poor nutrition
- Excessive alcohol use
Periodontal Disease and Tobacco
You are probably familiar with the links between tobacco use and lung disease, cancer and heart disease.
Current studies have now linked periodontal disease with tobacco usage. These cases may be even more severe than those of non-users of tobacco. There is a greater incidence of calculus formation on teeth, deeper pockets between gums and teeth as well as greater loss of the bone and fibers that hold teeth in your mouth. In addition, your chance of developing oral cancer increases with the use of smokeless tobacco.
Chemicals in tobacco such as nicotine and tar, slow down healing and the predictability of success following periodontal treatment.
Problems caused by tobacco include:
Lung disease, heart disease, cancer, mouth sores, gum recession, loss of bone and teeth, bad breath, tooth staining, less success with periodontal treatment and with dental implants.
Quitting tobacco will reduce the chance of developing the above problems.
Medications and Periodontal Health
Drugs that improve the health of one part of your body may have a detrimental effect on your oral health. Numerous medications produce dry mouth or xerostomia, which can have a damaging effect on the gum tissue and the teeth. Other drugs may cause gingival enlargement, which means the gums grow over part of the tooth. Medications with sugar as a main ingredient, such as over-the-counter cough drops and syrups, may increase plaque as well as enhance the ability of plaque to be more adherent to your teeth.
Children and periodontal diseases
Although periodontitis is commonly thought of as an adult disease, children can and do develop periodontal problems. These can be generally classified as
1. Gingivitis- Reversible gum inflammation typically due to poor hygiene habits
2. Periodontitis- Bone loss because of an infection- This is uncommon in younger children and when it appears it can be associated with more serious medical conditions. These infections should be taken seriously and typically require a comprehensive team approach to diagnosis and treatment which includes the periodontist, pediatrician and pediatric dentist.
3. Gum recession- Typically occurs because of thin tissue and bone. This is of particular importance in orthodontic age children so it is important to identify the risk factors early.
4. Conditions associated with generalized medical problems. There are a number of serious medical conditions which can either worsen gum problems in children or give the appearance of a gum problem. Again, children that have advanced periodontal problems need to have a comprehensive medical workup to rule out more serious medical issues.
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Diabetes and Oral Health
Individuals suffering from diabetes, especially uncontrolled diabetics, have a higher risk of developing bacterial infections of the mouth. These infections may impair your ability to process insulin, resulting in greater difficulty with controlling your diabetes. Periodontal diseases are more severe in diabetes than in non-diabetics and treatment more difficult. However, well-controlled diabetics have a lower incidence of cavities.
Steps to prevent periodontal disease include daily brushing and flossing to remove plaque from your teeth and gums, regular dental visits for professional cleaning and regular periodontal evaluation. Your health professional must also be told of your history and the current status of your condition. And finally, you can help resist periodontal infection by maintaining control of your blood sugar levels.
Women and Periodontal Health
Throughout a woman’s life, hormonal changes affect tissues throughout the body. Fluctuations in hormone levels occur during puberty, pregnancy and menopause. At these times, the chance of periodontal disease may increase, requiring special care of your oral health.
Puberty
During puberty, there is increased production of sex hormones. These higher levels increase gum sensitivity and lead to greater irritations from plaque and food particles. The gums can become swollen, turn red and feel tender.
Menstruation
Similar symptoms occasionally appear several days before menstruation. There can be bleeding of the gums, bright red swelling between the teeth and gum, or sores on the inside of the cheek. The symptoms clear up once the period has started. As the amount of sex hormones decrease, so do these problems.
Pregnancy
Your gums and teeth are also affected during pregnancy. Between the second and eighth month, your gums may also swell, bleed and become red or tender. Large lumps may appear as a reaction to local irritants. However, these growths are generally painless and not cancerous. They may require professional removal, but usually disappear after pregnancy.
Periodontal health should be part of your prenatal care. Any infections during pregnancy, including periodontal infections, can place a baby’s health at risk.
The best way to prevent periodontic infections is to begin with healthy gums and continue to maintain your oral health with proper home care and careful periodontic monitoring.
Oral contraceptives
Swelling, bleeding and tenderness of the gums may also occur when you are taking oral contraceptives, which are synthetic hormones.
You must mention any prescriptions you are taking, including oral contraceptives, prior to medical or dental treatment. This will help eliminate risk of drug interactions, such as antibiotics with oral contraceptives – where the effectiveness of the contraceptive can be lessened.
Menopause
Changes in the look and feel of your mouth may occur if you are menopausal or post-menopausal. They include feeling pain and burning in your gum tissue and salty, peppery or sour tastes.
Careful oral hygiene at home and professional cleaning may relieve these symptoms. There are also saliva substitutes to treat the effects of “dry mouth.”
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