Did you know that you can visit your dentist twice a year and still be diagnosed with periodontal disease?
Avoiding periodontal disease is not as simple as getting a routine checkup and remembering to brush your teeth. Periodontal disease can affect anyone, and sometimes it can even develop due to factors beyond one’s control.
If left undiagnosed, periodontal disease will result in a complete breakdown of the attachment of your tooth to the bone. Therefore, it’s important that you catch and treat periodontal disease before it’s too late.
The first step towards preventing periodontal disease is awareness. Let’s review 4 factors that may contribute to periodontal disease.
1. Bacterial Plaque (Calculus)
Plaque is the film that grows on your teeth when neglected. A few hours after eating, you might be able to feel this sticky film running across the surface of your teeth. If you don’t take action by brushing your teeth properly, that plaque hardens and develops into calculus. The bacteria in plaque and calculus cause your immune system to create products that affect the health of your gums and bone.
2. Poor Eating Habits
As you’d expect, your diet plays a large role in whether or not you develop periodontal disease. A poor diet, sustained over a long period of time, affects your overall health, inclusive of your oral health.
3. Smoking
Of course, smoking has a negative affect on our lungs; but it also influences periodontal disease. Bacteria grow and thrive in the mouths of people who smoke. If you are a smoker, it is in the best interest of your oral health that you stop smoking all together. However, even reducing the number of cigarettes smoked can begin to reduce your chances of developing periodontal disease.
4. Genetics
Sometimes even genetics play a role in developing periodontal disease. Unfortunately, some people are naturally more susceptible than others. Seeing a periodontist routinely will ensure that you are in best position to prevent periodontal disease or have it diagnosed and treated early on.
Worried about periodontal disease? Take care of your oral health by scheduling an appointment at Ward Periodontics today!