Periodontal disease, also commonly referred to as gum disease, is a serious oral health disorder that should be addressed as soon as you notice the symptoms. One of the most common causes of periodontal disease is a high accumulation of plaque on your teeth, which ends up providing prime breeding ground for bacteria. However, it should be noted that some people are genetically predisposed to developing gum disease, thus they need to take extra measures to ensure that they are not at risk of developing this problem. Knowing if you are a risk factor can help you ensure you are taking extra precaution to prevent you from developing gum disease. Here are some other reasons that may put you at risk of developing periodontal disease.

Chain-smoking

The more cigarettes you smoke, the higher the chances of you developing gum disease. There are various reasons for this. For one, heavy smokers tend to have a higher build-up of tartar on their teeth than non-smokers. This makes it easier for plaque to adhere to your teeth and thus create a breeding ground for bacteria. Additionally, when heavy smokers acquire gum disease, the periodontal pockets in their teeth tend to be much deeper. This then puts them at risk at faster bone loss caused by the spread of the disease. The only way to eliminate this risk factor would be to quit smoking.

Misaligned teeth

If you are suffering from crooked or misaligned teeth, you are at a higher risk of developing gum disease than individuals with straight teeth. The more severe the misalignment of your teeth is, the harder it is to effectively clean them. This leaves room for bacteria to collect and breed in the area on your gum line that are not receiving efficient oral hygiene. One of the ways to combat this would be to opt for tooth alignment treatment in the form of orthodontics. Alternatively, a dentist may have to extract the teeth that are causing overcrowding in your mouth so as to give you easier access to all the hard to reach areas.

Teeth grinding

Although teeth grinding may not cause gum disease, it does act as a catalyst in the spread of periodontal diseases. Constant teeth grinding means there is increased pressure being exerted on your gums. This increases the chances of your periodontal bone and ligaments to start deteriorating. Continued teeth grinding then makes it easier for bacteria to make its way into the gum tissue, which accelerates the development of gum disease. If you are a teeth grinder, you may have to opt for mouth guards from your dentist to reign in this habit.