What causes gum disease? Periodontal disease treatment and prevention

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Contrary to what we might think, periodontitis is a common disease with 10% of the global population concerned, according to a WHO study. ¹ In fact, here in the UK nearly half of adults suffer from some degree of irreversible periodontal disease. ² So if you find yourself suffering from the symptoms of gum infection don’t panic – you’re not alone.

Early-stage gum disease can be easily treated, but periodontitis treatment is a little more complicated, as this serious and advanced form of gum disease can lead to the loss of teeth. To maintain healthy teeth and gums, it’s best to simply avoid the onset of periodontitis. In this article, we will explore what causes gum disease, including:

Poor oral hygiene
Diet
Alcohol
Lifestyle choices such as smoking
Underlying health conditions
Hormones
Medications

Once you know the causes, we’ll show you periodontitis treatment options as well as the all-important tips you need to avoid the onset of symptoms of gum infection. So, read on to discover everything you need to know to maintain a healthy smile.

Periodontitis symptoms and definition

Before determining the periodontitis causes, we need to know what it is and how to spot it. Here are some facts about periodontitis after its development from early-stage gum disease:

The first stage of gum disease is gingivitis.
Periodontitis is the most serious form of gum disease.
At the periodontitis stage, supportive teeth tissues are attacked and the bone, which supports our teeth, is starting to deteriorate.
Without treatment, periodontitis leads to losing your teeth.

So, periodontitis is the advanced stage of gingivitis, but what do you need to look out for? Minor periodontitis symptoms include: ³

Persistent bad breath
Red, swollen gums
Sore gums
Pain when eating

However, as the disease progresses, there could be an onset of further, more serious periodontal disease symptoms: ³

Gum bleeding
Gum inflammation causes gum bleeding. Most often this occurs while brushing your teeth, flossing, and even during meals. However, with the onset of periodontitis, your gums may sometimes bleed without provocation.
Teeth hypersensitivity
As your gums recede, the protective layer of tissue is no longer doing its job. As the roots become more exposed, teeth can become more sensitive.
Dislodged teeth
One of the main symptoms of a gum infection is receding gums. As the gum line begins to move away from the tooth, your teeth seem to become longer. This is because the visible part of the teeth becomes less and less covered by gum tissue.
Loose teeth
In serious cases, where periodontitis continues to progress and is left untreated, your teeth will start losing their attachment to the alveolodental ligaments. This will subsequently lead to your teeth becoming loose.
Mouth and gastric ulcers ⁴
As the microbes in your mouth move around and chronic gum disease sets in, you have an increased risk of mouth, gastric, and duodenal ulcers. While these may heal on their own, ⁵ it is important to treat the root of the problem, so they don’t come back.

So, now that you understand the most common periodontitis symptoms, read on to explore what causes receding gums, sensitivity, and other periodontitis symptoms we’ve discussed above.

What causes gum disease? Six common periodontitis causes

When early-stage gum disease is left untreated, the situation can develop into a more severe case of periodontitis. However, do you know what causes receding gums and other gum disease symptoms in the first place?

Often, it is the result of poor oral hygiene that leads to the development of dental plaque which attacks the teeth and gums. However, other factors can also play a role. Here are six additional gum disease causes:

Diet. Unsurprisingly your diet doesn’t just affect your overall health. Acidic and sugary foods and drinks can speed up plaque production and lead to gum disease. ⁶
Alcoholism. ⁷ Alcohol can increase the risk of periodontal disease, especially if combined with smoking.
Tobacco. ⁸ Smoking is not just bad for your overall health; it can increase the risk of gum diseases. Tobacco weakens our immune system and promotes periodontal ligament degeneration.
Underlying health conditions. Conditions such as diabetes ⁹ or a weakened immune system due to HIV ¹⁰ can all result in an increased risk of periodontal disease.
Hormonal changes. This can include pregnancy ¹¹ and menopause. ¹⁵
Tip: It is recommended that you increase your visits to the dentist and dental hygienist during pregnancy to ensure that you have the best protection for your oral health. It is completely safe to attend these appointments and you should aim to visit during the first and last trimesters as a minimum.
Medications. In some cases, certain medications can lead to oral health issues. If you think this is happening with your medication, seek medical advice before you stop taking the required dose. ¹²

While some of the more common gum disease causes are entirely beyond your control, it does mean that you should be extra vigilant in the prevention of the onset of gingivitis and periodontitis. Below we’ll share top tips for periodontitis treatment and prevention.

And with recent studies ^{15 16} showing a link between gum disease and heart disease, oral healthcare has never been more important.

Oral healthcare and heart disease: the case for healthy gums

For 2023, Philips has partnered with the Swedish Heart Lung Foundation, working alongside the foundation for its ‘Brush for your Heart’ campaign. The campaign highlights the link between oral healthcare and heart health – with people who take good care of their mouth being more likely to have healthier hearts than those who neglect their teeth and gums.^15,16

More research into the link between oral health and heart health is being done and there is a growing consensus that those with periodontitis – or gum disease – are at risk of heart disease and other heart problems.¹⁷ But public awareness of this link remains low. In fact, over 3 in 5 members of the public were not aware of link the link between good oral health and heart disease. ¹⁸

What is the link between healthy gums and heart health?

Poor oral healthcare, or simply not brushing your teeth properly, can cause a build-up of plaque and harmful bacteria in your mouth. It’s known that this build-up can cause gum disease. ¹⁹

But it’s now thought that bacteria that sticks around in your mouth for too long might enter the bloodstream, providing a potential pathway to your heart, stomach and even toes. ²⁰

What kind of gum cleaning can help?

Take good care of your mouth! Whether that’s brushing to more regularly to remove plaque, rinsing with mouthwash, or flossing, there are several ways to incorporate good oral healthcare practices into your daily routine.

Electric toothbrushes, like those in the Philips Sonicare range, can remove up to 10x more plaque than manual toothbrushes, making them an excellent way to stay on top of oral healthcare. Over 3 out of 4 consumers said they would switch to an electric toothbrush, while 7 out of 10 said they believe that Philips Sonicare can help them and their oral healthcare. ¹⁸

With that in mind, we’ll share top tips for periodontitis treatment and prevention, so you can have peace of mind that you’re taking the best care of your mouth you can.

Periodontal disease treatment options

Unlike gingivitis, periodontitis cannot be remedied at home. You will need to visit the dentist or your dental hygienist to be able to rectify the situation. Here’s what you could be offered as periodontal disease treatment:

Professional cleaning. In benign cases, professional cleaning by a qualified dental hygienist can eliminate any excess dental plaque or tartar.
Antibiotics. Once the bacteria, plaque, and tartar are removed, topical antibiotics are used to reduce inflammation and treat periodontitis. ¹³
Surgery. In serious cases, surgical intervention might be necessary.

Ultimately, the best treatment is prevention. Visit your dentist as soon as you notice any periodontal disease symptoms and read on for our top tips to prevent the onset of gum disease.

Three simple steps to prevent the most common gum disease causes

The best treatment for periodontitis is to avoid your oral hygiene deteriorating to the point of needing medical intervention. Yes, the most efficient periodontitis treatment is prevention! Here are our top tips to prevent the most common gum disease causes:

Brush your teeth twice daily. Brush for at least two minutes with a soft toothbrush, preferably electrical (because it’s more efficient).
Clean your interdental spaces daily. Whether you choose to floss, use an interdental brush, or even a specialist product like the Philips Power Flosser this is a key step in maintaining good oral health.
Book visits to your dentist regularly. Ideally, you should book an appointment at least once a year, 14 however if an issue arises be sure to visit your dentist sooner.

With this guide, we’ve explored all you need to know about late-stage gum disease from periodontal disease symptoms and causes to the treatment and prevention of periodontitis. With good oral hygiene and regular visits to your dentist, you can guarantee a sparkling, healthy, bright white smile every time you walk out the door.

Sources:

¹ WHO, Oral Health

² National Institute for Health Care and Excellence, Gingivitis and periodontitis: How common is it?

³ National Library of Medicine, Periodontal Disease

⁴National Library of Medicine, A Prospective Study of Periodontal Disease and Risk of Gastric and Duodenal Ulcer in Male Health Professionals

⁵ National Library of Medicine, Canker sores (mouth ulcers): What can you do if you have a canker sore?

⁶ National Library of Medicine, The Role of Nutrition in Periodontal Health: An Update

⁷ National Library of Medicine, The effect of alcohol consumption on periodontal disease

⁸ NHS, The effect that smoking has on your oral health

⁹ Diabetes UK, Diabetes and gum disease

¹⁰ National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, HIV/AIDS & Oral Health

¹¹ NHS, Bleeding gums in pregnancy