Are you experiencing swelling in your gums or bleeding when you floss and brush? The chances are that you might have gingivitis. Sometimes, gum disease at its early stage doesn’t show any symptoms.
5 Things You Didn’t Know about Gingivitis
Gingivitis is a common gum disease. Around half of the Americans experience some form of gum disease. It occurs when people don’t take care of their oral health properly, such as skipping, brushing, and flossing. When you don’t follow a good oral hygiene regimen, bacteria start to form in your mouth, leading to tartar and plaque build-up. If left untreated, gingivitis turns into periodontitis and gum loss, which require immediate attention from your Houston dentist.
While you probably know the disease and its oral health impacts, here are some facts that you might not know about gingivitis.
1. Gingivitis can transfer from kissing
Some people believe that gingivitis only occurs when you don’t take care of your teeth and gums properly. However, studies have shown that bacteria can pass from one person to another. If you share eating utensils, a toothbrush, or even kiss someone with gingivitis, the bacteria can take hold in your mouth and cause gingivitis.
2. People with a family history of gingivitis are at a higher risk
Researchers have found that heredity affects gum disease. Around 30 percent of the population are genetically at a higher risk of gum disease, regardless of their watchful dental care.
3. Eating more dairy will reduce the risk for gingivitis
It’s unclear why dairy intake lowers the risk of gum disease. But some studies suggest that people who consume lactic acid present in dairy food items, such as milk and yogurt, are less likely to suffer from gum disease. Besides maintaining good oral hygiene, drink milk and eat yogurt and cheese if you want to be in the percentile that is less likely to get affected by gum disease.
4. Gingivitis is more common in women
While anyone can get gingivitis, women are more likely to develop this disease. It’s mainly because of hormones and puberty. The flow of hormones can make your gums more prone to irritation and sensitivity. In fact, bleeding gums is one of the symptoms of upcoming menstruation.
5. Watch out for gingivitis during pregnancy
Oral care is crucial when you’re pregnant. This is because you’re susceptible to swollen gums during this period. When your pregnancy starts, hormonal changes occur in your body, weakening your body’s ability to fight bacteria efficiently. Furthermore, the blood flow is also increased to your gums during pregnancy. This makes your gums more sensitive and irritable, providing room for plaque and bacteria to form.
Contact the Houston Family Dentist
If you are a little worried about whether you have gingivitis or you have more questions, contact the Houston dentist at Vesna Arezina DDS. We are your local family dentist with over twenty years of experience. Our bilingual office is dedicated to providing complete, quality oral health care in a caring and friendly environment for your entire family. Please get in touch with us to schedule an appointment and check out your gums today!
