Here at CK Dental, we touched recently on nasty ailments of the mouth and how best to avoid them, one of which being the condition known as periodontitis. It is a common oral complaint, with around 75% of adults in the UK likely to experience it at some point in their lives and it causes the gums to recede and expose sensitive areas of the tooth that are ordinarily protected by the gums.

Understanding more about periodontitis can help people know what signs to look for and how to take preventative steps to stop it forming.

So, what gives people a heightened risk of developing periodontitis?

Poor oral health

Not brushing your teeth twice a day for the recommended minimum of two minutes per brush increases your risk of getting periodontitis. This simple routine can help prevent (and sometimes cure) so many problems that can develop in the mouth so if you feel you are falling short of looking after your teeth appropriately, you may be paving the way for trouble in the future.

Other ailments of the mouth and gums

People who suffer from conditions such as gingivitis (gum disease) fall into a higher risk bracket, so if you start to suffer from gum disease then it is important to be mindful of symptoms of periodontitis too, and flag this quickly with a dentist if you are concerned at all. Some illnesses that affect other areas of the body can also increase the risk of developing periodontitis, such as diabetes.

Bad habits

Smoking and taking drugs also have a negative impact on your oral hygiene and are both factors that have been linked with a greater chance of getting periodontitis. Not only that, people who don’t adhere to healthy eating and drinking guidelines and consume lots of sugary foods and/or carbonated drinks will also have a greater risk.

Recently, a study found that excessive computer use can put teenagers at risk of poor oral health. An examination of more than 1,500 teenagers found that those that spent long periods of time on their computer were less likely to brush their teeth or visit the dentist.

Simple bad luck

For some of us, unfortunately, the chance of developing periodontitis in written into our genes – it can be passed down genetically and some can inherit greater susceptibility of getting it.

Managing the risk

Equipped with the knowledge about what periodontitis is and which factors increase the risk of developing it, people can monitor their oral health and hopefully avoid getting unpleasant and sometimes serious mouth ailments.

If you’re worried about your oral health, call 0117 905 9866 to arrange a check-up.