Gum Disease Risk Factors

Advanced Periodontics wants you to know about risk factors for gum disease. There are a series of factors that increase your risk of developing gum disease. Some of them are in your control. From age to lifestyle habits, these are the four most common risk factors:

Age

The older you are, the higher your chances of getting gum disease. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicate that over 68 percent of Americans 65 and older have gum disease.

Smoking and tobacco use

This is a twofold problem. The first problem is that smokers with gum disease tend to lose bone up to three times faster than nonsmokers do. The second problem is that smokers do not respond as well to gum disease treatments.

Clenching or grinding teeth

The excessive force created from clenching and grinding speeds up the rate at which the tissue supporting the teeth is destroyed, causing gum recession, exposing sensitive roots, and damaging the teeth.

Stress

We are all under some type of stress. Research demonstrates that stress can make it more difficult for the body to fight off infection, including periodontal diseases.

Contact Advance Periodontics at our Hamden or New Haven office to schedule a consultation. You will always be treated with compassion and dignity in a safe and clean environment.