What Is The Cause Of Periodontal Disease?

A cause of periodontal disease is basically an infection raging in your gums that can ultimately cause the loss of teeth if untreated. In its mildest form, gingivitis, the symptoms are almost always painless and involve some redness and swelling of the gums. It is also common for a person to bleed easily when the gums are touched. If the periodontal disease remains untreated, it could spread to and under the gum line and become periodontitis. When this happens, the periodontal disease will worsen until both gums and bone begin to dissolve until teeth begin to fall out. But what is the cause of periodontal disease?

Periodontal disease is caused by bacteria that are always present in our mouths. Plaque is formed by bacteria and will harden to become tartar unless removed by normal oral hygiene. Bacteria grow rapidly behind tartar because saliva, the body's natural defense, cannot reach it there. The bacteria then produce toxins that cause the periodontal disease. In time, those toxins will destroy your gums and your teeth unless treated. However, there are a number of factors that could significantly contribute to the development of periodontal disease.

Smoking significantly increases a person's chances for developing a periodontal disease. In fact, smokers are more than three times likely to develop gum disease than non-smokers. Smoking is known to weaken the immune system and therefore makes it harder for the body to fight of the infection causing the periodontal disease.

Stress, believe it or not, is a serious factor where periodontal conditions are concerned. Prolonged periods of stress will also weaken the body's natural defenses and leave it more vulnerable to the bacteria causing the gum disease.

Thanks to recent advancements in genetics, scientists now estimate that nearly 1/3 of all people have a predisposition for periodontal disease. A person with this predisposition is twice as likely as a smoker to develop the condition-or six times more than a non-smoker.

A poor diet that does not emphasize balance and proper servings will also weaken your body and its ability to fight infections. While vitamin supplements may help the condition, there is no substitute for real food and the nutrients it contains. As you have already guessed, periodontal disease is often a symptom of a larger problem.

An example of a larger problem that might cause periodontal disease is diabetes. Diabetics also tend to have weakened immune systems because the body is more concerned (and for good reason!) about regulating insulin than in fighting the bacteria responsible for gum disease. However, if you have recently developed a periodontal disease, it may be worth having your blood sugar level checked. This may help you overall with not only your health but your dental health care too.

Again, periodontal disease can simply be an oral hygiene issue. In such cases, daily brushing and flossing should remove the plaque that leads to gingivitis and other periodontal diseases. It is also a good idea to use a mouthwash or other bacteria-fighting agent each day. Be sure to use an all-natural product because mouthwashes made with alcohol or other chemicals may dry your mouth out and deprive you of the saliva that naturally protects the mouth.

However, it is also quite common for periodontal disease to be a symptom of a larger medical problem. By now you should know the answer to the question, what is periodontal disease; as well as how to prevent and treat it. At the first sign of symptoms, consult with a dentist immediately. For an all natural product to help fight the cause of periodontal disease, try OraMD®. Our product works so well that it comes with a 100% money back guarantee... no matter how many you order.