Poor dental care is the main cause of gum infections, but other factors include mouth trauma, smoking, hormonal fluctuations, certain medications, genetics, and weak immune systems. Symptoms include bleeding gums, bad breath, and loose teeth. Treatment depends on severity and may involve antibiotics, dental procedures, or surgery. Preventive measures such as regular brushing and flossing are effective in fighting gum disease.
There are a number of causes of gum infection. Inadequate dental care is by far the most common. Other causes include trauma to the mouth, tobacco use, hormonal fluctuations, some medications, genetics, and some diseases.
People’s mouths are full of bacteria in the form of plaque, an invisible sticky film found naturally on the teeth and gums. When plaque isn’t removed regularly by brushing and flossing, bacteria can irritate and damage your gums. If left undisturbed, plaque will turn into tartar, a hard buildup on the teeth that requires a dental procedure to remove. Tartar attacks the soft tissues of the mouth, leading to gingivitis or more serious periodontal disease. An infection that progresses that far could destroy the supporting bone that holds the teeth in the gums.
Mouth trauma can be caused by a dental procedure, rough brushing, or forced toothpicking. This trauma can lead to inflammation or infection of the gums. Also, a tooth cavity that goes untreated for too long could cause a very painful gum infection called an abscess to develop.
Smoking is another significant cause of gum infection and the development of gum disease. Habitual tobacco use causes bone loss, reduces saliva levels, impedes blood flow and damages the immune system. Additionally, the heat and smoke can irritate the delicate tissues in your mouth. Treatments for gum infections and gum disease are also less effective in tobacco users.
During pregnancy, women are more prone to gum infections due to hormonal fluctuations that cause the gums to react differently to bacteria. The same effect is true for puberty and menopause. Similarly, some medications, such as oral contraceptives, steroids, cancer therapy drugs, antidepressants, heart medications, and anti-seizure drugs, often lead to gum infections because they disrupt natural hormone levels.
A weak immune system often leads to a gum infection. This could be caused by a nutritional deficiency due to a poor diet or a more serious illness. Gum infections develop when the body is unable to fight the infection effectively.
Some people are simply more prone than others to developing gum infections, even with proper dental care. There is a genetic component to gum disease. Therefore, people who have a family history of gum infections should pay special attention to routine oral hygiene and regular visits to the dentist.
Symptoms of gum infections include swollen and bleeding gums, red gums, bad breath, pain, pus between the teeth and in the gums, and changes to the teeth, including loose teeth. Treatment depends on the severity of the infection. Home remedies might be enough for gum irritation, but gum infections require a visit to the dentist.
Treatments for gum infections might involve cleaning, antibiotics, dental procedures such as pocket reduction or gum regeneration, or, in severe cases, surgery. It’s important to visit your dentist right away if you suspect a gum infection. Preventive measures such as regular flossing and brushing as well as frequent professional cleanings are very effective in fighting gum disease.
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