One of the most important things to understand when it concerns your oral health is what factors can cause gingivitis. Gingivitis is more commonly known as gum disease and affects thousands of people every year. In its earliest stages, many people have a hard time recognizing the symptoms and may not even know there is a problem until it has reached a point where professional intervention is necessary. Fortunately this is a very manageable disease and with good dental care and excellent home hygiene you won’t have to worry much about it.
owever knowing what can cause gingivitis is a vital part of prevention. Here are a few examples of the known causes of gum disease.
- Bacteria and other microorganisms
- Poor dental hygiene
- Inadequate nutrition
The one true cause for gingivitis is bacteria. The others are issues that can allow the bacteria to grow. The truth is each and every one of us has millions of bacteria and other microorganisms like viruses and fungi in our mouths. Before you get really grossed out, this is normal and most of the time those microorganisms aid in breaking down food and help to protect us from harmful microorganisms. The problem arises when for whatever reason, the normal bacteria gets out of hand and begins to attack the healthy gum tissue.
It is vitally important to make good dental hygiene part of your everyday life. Without the proper routine, the above mentioned bacteria and other critters take on a life of their own and run unchecked in your mouth. When the bacteria and other microorganisms are kept at the correct levels, gum disease doesn’t have much of a chance at harming your mouth. With this cause, gingivitis can be avoided by brushing and flossing your teeth as recommended.
As strange as it may sound, proper nutrition plays a role in the occurrence of gum disease as well. We need wholesome foods to keep our immune system in proper working condition. Part of the function of the immune system is to help the mouth keep the bacteria at the right levels. A diet full of refined sugars and unnecessary fats isn’t going to fuel that important part of our physical bodies very well. The occasional treat is no problem, but constant poor food choices could impact your gum health.
