The Fight Against Gum Disease

There are certain factors, which have clearly been identified as the main contributors to the onset of gum disease.

Gum disease affects two categories of people. First are those who are otherwise healthy and second are those who are suffering from some other underlying and usually a more serious illness. Of the group who are healthy but still manage to contract gum disease, the causes are usually related to lifestyle choices. Diet, smoking, stress levels and dental routine, if not managed properly, can all be causes of gum disease.

A diet that is high in sugar or fried starchy foods can do lots of damage to the mouth and gums. That’s because both sugar and fried foods produce increase amounts of plaque build up in the mouth.

They also trigger the increased activity of the bacteria that leads to gum disease. Brushing and flossing are essential to rid the mouth of this bacteria. But this bacteria is invisible to the human eye so it is impossible to get rid of it all. Therefore, a comprehensive daily oral hygiene program is vital!

Smoking causes a similar problem but for different reasons. Smoking is harmful because it inhibits the mouth’s natural defences by cutting off the supply of oxygen to the gums. It also facilitates the build-up of tar on the base of the teeth, which ultimately also provokes bacteria which leads to gum disease.

Any other agent which easily sticks to the teeth leading to increase in bacteria is also bad. This would include things like tea, coffee and alcohol.

For a similar reason, high stress levels are also dangerous. A person who suffers from high levels of stress is more likely to have a weakened immune system. Therefore, when the body is under attack from infection, this person will not have the necessary antibodies to fight it off.

Exercise is a great stress buster. But those who don’t exercise at all are at greater risk from gum disease because lack of exercise means a slow metabolism. This means that the flow of blood around the body is also slow and therefore the body’s ability to regenerate itself is inhibited.

All this means that the fight against gum disease begins with an overhaul of a person’s general attitude to health. Good eating, a balanced diet, a stress free day, a good night’s sleep, regular exercise and a vigilant dental hygiene routine will go a long way in the fight against gum disease.