7 Factors That Put You at Increased Risk for Gingivitis

Gum inflammation, known as gingivitis, occurs prior to gum disease. The plaque will start to accumulate, your gums may swell up, and there could be some blood coming from them when you're brushing or flossing. Because gingivitis can lead to a much more dangerous stage of gum disease known as periodontitis, it should be treated properly to prevent it from worsening. If any of the following factors apply to you, you may be more susceptible to developing this type of oral infection:

1. Tobacco use 
Smoking cigarettes, chewing tobacco, or using other tobacco products does not promote healthy teeth or a robust immune system. It affects more than just the protective layer of your teeth. It can also result in the development of severe oral infections. Even breathing in secondhand smoke might cause gingivitis. Additionally, if you smoke, you risk not only damaging your teeth, gums, heart, and lungs but also developing oral cancer.

2. Improper nutrition 
Your diet heavily impacts your dental health. Most people have a strong craving for sweets and carbs. However, those two types of foods put you directly on the path to infected gums. This is because bacteria in your mouth also like those foods just as much as you do. Dangerous oral bacteria will multiply, feed, and eventually compromise your teeth and oral tissues until you have gingivitis in its full form.

3. Aging 
Unfortunately, gingivitis is another condition whose prevalence increases with age. This could be because people often take more medications as they age, often those that might cause dry mouth. Older people are also more susceptible to various illnesses and disorders that weaken the immune system and generally negatively impact their teeth. Hence, it becomes increasingly crucial to visit your dental checkups as you age.

4. Stressful lifestyle 
The debilitating effects that stress has on your body extend to your teeth and gums as well. Stress is related to so many ailments. It can weaken your immune system, making you more vulnerable to oral infections like gingivitis. Gum disease is more likely to develop because stress makes it harder to treat gingivitis. We all experience stress in life, but finding a strategy to manage that stress can help you maintain your health and prevent you from developing health problems.

5. Diabetes
Oral infections may progress faster if you have diabetes. Furthermore, gingivitis could make diabetic symptoms worse. Make sure your dental specialist is informed about your diabetes condition, just as your health care provider should be aware that you start showing any signs of infection in your mouth or elsewhere in your body.

6. Medications
Your dental health may be impacted by some medications. Therefore, make it a priority to be aware of all the possible side effects before taking any drug. If the medicine does put your dental health at risk, be sure you practice proper dental hygiene. Make sure that your dentist and all of your other healthcare providers are aware of all the drugs you are taking. The best approach to ensure that your dental health is protected is to do that.

7. Bruxism 
Not only can grinding or clenching your teeth affect your jaw, but it also erodes the enamel on your teeth. Your tooth's enamel may get chipped, and your teeth may be forced to harden into your gums, placing stress on the tissue that supports them. If you grind at night, consider getting a custom-made mouthguard. Also, look for a way to reduce your stress if you clench your teeth during the day. Your teeth and gums will appreciate it.

The bottom line 
If you have a higher chance of getting gingivitis, find the best-in-class dentist to learn what you can do to treat it or prevent it from happening in the first place.