OTHER CAUSES OF PERIODONTAL DISEASE
Tobacco smoking or chewing - Smoking is one of the most significant risk factors associated with the development of periodontitis. Smoking increases the risk of periodontal disease. The longer you smoke, and the more you smoke, the higher the risk. If you have periodontal disease, smoking makes it more severe. Smoking is the main cause of periodontal disease that is resistant to treatment and smoking can lower the chances of success of some treatments. Smokers tend to collect more tartar on their teeth. They often develop deeper periodontal pockets once they have gum disease. People who smoke loose more bone as the disease gets worse. Unlike many other factors that affect the health of your gums, whether you smoke is under your control. Quitting smoking can play a major role in bringing periodontal disease under control.
Tartar Buildup - Plaque removal is very important because over time it becomes hardened or calcified and turns into calculus. This is commonly called TARTAR. Even more plaque attaches to calculus because it's a rougher surface than tooth enamel. It's also rougher than cementum, a layer that covers the tooth root. Broken teeth and fillings may also cause increased calculus buildup due to the irregular surfaces. Layers of calculus and plaque build up, in a downward spiral.
Grinding, or Clenching of Teeth -These habits won't cause periodontal disease. However, they can lead to more severe disease if your gums are already inflamed. These habits exert excess force on the teeth. This pressure appears to speed up the breakdown of the periodontal ligament and bone, causing GUM RECESSION!! This may cause exposed tooth roots and lead to SENSITIVE TEETH!!
Your dentist can create a custom guard appliance to help reduce the pressure of clenching or grinding on the teeth.
Stress - Research shows that stress can make it more difficult for our bodies to fight infection,which includes periodontal disease.
Medications - Some drugs, such as antidepressants and some heart medicines, can affect oral health because they lessen the flow of saliva. (Saliva has a protective effect on teeth and gums.)
Pregnancy or use of oral contraceptives - These changes can make gums more sensitive and make it easier for gingivitis to develop. Gum tissues have an exaggerated response to plaque, thus hormonal changes make it easier to develop gingivitis, which could lead to periodontal disease. Also periodontal bacteria mimic labor inducing hormones, which can lead to pre-term labor and delivery, resulting in low birth weight babies.
Illnesses- Diseases like cancer or AIDS and their treatments can also affect the health of gums.
Genetic susceptibility- Some people are more prone to severe periodontal disease than others
