Part two of our series on oral care explores some other causes of gingivitis.

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What Causes Gingivitis?

What causes gingivitis? In our last article, we highlighted the fact that if you have poor oral hygiene habits then you probably also have gingivitis as well.  However, while poor ogal hygiene is a big contributing factor, there are other causes of gingivitis.
One big cause of gingivitis is stress. Acute Necrotizing Ulcerative Gingivitis or trench mouth is often directly linked to stress.  Acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis (ANUG) is “a progressive painful infection with ulceration, swelling and sloughing off of dead tissue from the mouth and throat due to the spread of infection from the gums.” [READ MORE] If you contract trench mouth, the only way to reverse it other than proper oral care and reducing your stress level is to consult a periodontist.  In fact, if you have trench mouth it is the beginning of periodontal disease, which can have long term health effects throughout your life.  For example, long term cases of periodontal disease causes elevated levels of inflammation throughout the body, and causes harmful proteins to spread.  In addition, with older patients, gingivitis has also been linked to memory problems as well as problems in calculation.  While stress and deficient oral hygience are both causes of gingivitis, there is also a dietary cause of gingivitis as well.

Dietary Causes of Gingivitis and Gum Disease

Poor nutrition can cause gingivitis.  If you eat a diet that a lot of Americans follow, namely a lot of foods lacking in vitamins and minerals, then you have an increased risk of contracting gum disease.  People with lower calcium have a 60% higher chance of getting gingivitis, and of having worse cases of it as well.  If you don’t get enough natural vitamin C in your diet, then you are also at risk.
Vitamin C helps to boost your immune system, and calcium intake helps you to build bones and even some connecting tissue. A lack of vitamin C in your diet can be a contributing factor towards contracting gum disease.
So eat your fruits and vegetables.  Get some fiber in your diet.  Eat a bit of dairy too. Manage your stress and above all else, practice better daily habits.  Get plenty of rest, drink water instead of soda and follow basic oral care techniques.
For more information on oral care, be sure to read part one of this series as well.
Gilbert Vista Dental Care
2451 East Baseline Road #210
Gilbert, AZ 85234
(480) 503-5467
https://drritapeck.com