Bleeding gums are the first stage of gum disease, better known as gingivitis. While typically painless, gum disease can be a precursor to more serious diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke and even cancer. In some ways, you can view bleeding gums as a sign that your body gives you to let you know that you need to improve your dental habits before more serious problems manifest.
Gum disease typically comes when plaque is not properly removed from teeth and gums, meaning a person needs to be more thorough when brushing or flossing. There are other factors that put people at risk for gum disease as well. Let’s take a look at a few of the other reasons that you may be at risk.
Age
Gum disease increases with age, and more than 50 percent of adults older than 30 and 70 percent of those older than 65 have gum disease.
Stress
As you know, stress can lead to a lot of health problems and gum disease can be one of them. Stress makes it more difficult for the body to fight infection, so mouth ailments, such as periodontal disease, do not get properly fought off.
Medication
Medicines are there to help you, but some have adverse side effects when it comes to gum disease, most commonly anti-depressants, certain heart medications and oral contraceptives. If you are taking a medicine that affects your gums, check with your doctor to look for other alternatives or ways to counteract the side effects.
Genetics
If you struggle with gum disease, you may be able to blame your parents – well, at least a little. Some people are predisposed to get gum disease and will need to take more preventative action to fight it off. Your dentist can perform a genetic test to determine your risk and how it may affect you down the road.
Other Factors
There are other risk factors for people to consider as well, including poor nutrition, grinding your teeth or tobacco use. While gum disease can be serious, the good news is that in a lot of cases it can be completely reversed with some behavioral changes.
If you notice bleeding of the gums or any other irregular concern in the mouth, consult with your dentist as soon as possible. Call Genesee Dental today at 585-343-1113 or request an appointment online now to get started.