As you age, your risk for certain illnesses increases. Thankfully, modern medicine has uncovered many ways to help decrease it and improve your quality of life. For example, you can lower your odds of developing skin cancer by wearing SPF or help prevent cardiovascular disease by exercising and eating a healthy diet. But did you know you can also slash your risk of periodontal disease? Here are a few habits and genetic predispositions that could be putting your mouth in jeopardy, and what you can do about it.
What is Periodontal Disease?
Periodontal disease (also known as gum disease) is a bacterial infection of the gums that if left untreated can cause gum recession, bone loss, tissue loss and even tooth loss. Periodontal disease is often preventable, but there are certain behaviors that can increase your risk of getting it.
Poor Oral Hygiene
While your dentist can help you improve your oral health with semi-annual cleanings, great oral hygiene begins at home. This means in addition to your semi-annual cleanings and exams, you should be brushing twice a day and flossing at least once a day. By keeping your mouth clean, you can reduce your risk of developing everything from cavities and tooth infection to gingivitis and periodontal disease.
Smoking and Vaping
Smoking can cause a litany of medical problems, including cardiovascular disease, lung disease, and cancer. It can also cause periodontal disease and worsen its progression. If you are a smoker, do your best to quit, but don’t swap cigarettes for vaping. Vaping has many of the same dangerous chemicals found in cigarettes, but often in much higher concentrations, making it just as bad if not worse for your oral health than smoking.
Stress
While you cannot always avoid stress, it has been found to reduce your ability to fight off infections such as periodontal disease. Thus, taking measures to reduce it can benefit not just your mental health but your oral health as well. To combat stress, try activities like meditation, getting more rest, exercising, or speaking to a mental health professional.
Genetics and Age
If you have a family history of periodontal disease you could be at a higher risk of developing it yourself. If this applies to you, it is even more important to stay on top of your oral health and hygiene and notify your dentist about your genetic predisposition.
Illness
Certain diseases can increase your risk of periodontal disease, including:
- Crohn’s disease
- Leukemia and other cancers
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Cardiovascular disease
- Diabetes
- HIV/AIDS
- Any other disease or condition that could cause decreased immunity
If you suffer from any of these illnesses, speak to your dentist about your diagnosis. They may recommend increased intervention such as more frequent dental exams to keep a closer eye on your oral health.
Medications
While it is important to stay on any prescribed medications, some could have unpleasant side effects such as dry mouth or hormonal changes that could change your body’s inflammatory or immune response, increasing your odds of infection. If you are taking any prescription meds, be sure to share that information with your dentist so a proper care strategy can be planned if necessary.
Poor Diet / Obesity
A poor diet will make it harder for your body to get important vitamins and minerals that could help your body fight infection. Thus, be sure to eat a healthy diet and maintain a healthy weight, as obesity also increases your odds of periodontal disease.
Ultimately, while you still may not be able to prevent periodontal disease entirely, there are still many steps you can take to reduce your risk. Working together with your dentist, you can develop an effective strategy to help keep your teeth and gums healthy for a lifetime!
About Dr. Gromling
Dr. Thomas Gromling has been practicing dentistry for over 40 years, and in that time, he has not only earned a loyal patient following, but amassed skills in everything from forensic dentistry to sleep apnea treatment.
He is an active member of the American Dental Association, the Virginia Dental Association, and is a Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry, just to name a few. He also consults with the medical examiner’s office and local law enforcement to provide forensic services and to identify cases of abuse and is currently on a review panel with Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) and the FBI to help with missing/unidentified persons cases.
To schedule an appointment with Dr. Gromling, please visit our website or call us at 540-869-4377.