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What Causes Gum Disease?

Gum disease is a common problem among adults, and it’s most often caused by a lack of proper oral hygiene. Our Oxford dentists discuss how to prevent gum disease and what can be done to treat it.

What is gum disease?

Periodontal disease is an infection of the soft tissues and bones that surround and support the teeth. It’s also commonly known as gum disease. It can come in several different forms. For example, gingivitis is a mild to moderate form of gum disease that affects only the soft tissues of the mouth and teeth. In more advanced cases of gum disease, the bones and supporting structures of the teeth become infected. If left untreated, this infection can eventually result in tooth loss.

What causes gum disease?

Gum disease can be caused by a variety of factors, including bacteria and the build-up of plaque in the mouth, smoking, hormonal changes, some prescription medications, nutritional deficiencies, uneven teeth, and even genetics. To reduce your risk of developing gum disease you’ll need to adopt a healthy diet and lifestyle.

There’s no need to overly worry though as none of the above listed factors, on their own, cause gum disease to develop and spread throughout the mouth. As long as you maintain a rigorous and thorough oral hygiene routine, it will be extremely difficult for gum disease to establish a foothold and spread.

So, for example, you may be genetically predisposed to plaque build-up; however, if you brush and floss twice a day, and visit your Oxford dentist at prescribed intervals for a professional cleaning and a check-up, the likelihood of developing gum disease is significantly reduced.

It’s much harder to keep your teeth clean if they are uneven because plaque, bacteria, and food debris can gather there much more easily. However, as previously mentioned, if you’re diligent in thoroughly brushing and flossing your teeth as well as seeing your dentist on a regular basis, gum disease is unlikely to develop.

The Most Common Cause of Gum Disease

Whether you are experiencing a hormonal change, for example during pregnancy, smoke regularly, or take a prescription medication, gum disease is ultimately caused by the unimpeded development of bacteria and plaque in the mouth.

This is actually good news because it shows gum disease is preventable with good oral hygiene. The above-mentioned conditions may raise your risk of developing gum disease, and, make prevention more challenging, but whether it does so ultimately depends on you.

The best way to prevent gum disease is twice-daily brushing and flossing, and regular visits to your dentist for professional cleaning. For most people every six months should be sufficient. 

If you have any questions about the causes of gum disease, as well as about proper brushing and flossing techniques, please don’t hesitate to contact our Oxford dentists today.