Many people only consider their teeth when they think of their dental health, but your connective tissues are equally important. Caring for them correctly is essential to avoid gum disease, which can progress and contribute to more serious problems, like tooth loss.
There are several potential risk factors for this condition, but did you know that you may be more vulnerable if your family has a history? Continue reading to learn how genetics might be playing a role in your oral health!
There are many harmful bacteria in your mouth, and if they penetrate your connective tissues, this can lead to an infection that triggers your body’s immune response. Your system will send defensive cells to your mouth to try to fight the disease, which progressively worsens the longer it goes untreated.
Gingivitis, the earliest form, can often be halted or reversed with a professional cleaning and improving your at-home dental hygiene routine. But if it progresses into periodontitis, you’ll need your dentist’s help to prevent it from spreading to your jawbone or entering your bloodstream and traveling to other areas in your body.
It’s not uncommon for dentists to see severe periodontitis in multiple generations in a single family. In fact, if your parents have major concerns with gum disease, you are also more likely to.
Experts now believe this may be partly due to inherited conditions that impact your defenses. For instance, cytokines are small proteins vital to your immune response and the production of white and red blood cells responsible for battling infections. Unfortunately, recent studies have revealed that up to 30% of humans have some form of genetic problems in their cytokine response. These individuals are up to 20 times more likely to develop advanced gum disease.
Whether or not you’re genetically predisposed to developing gum disease, it can thankfully be avoided by taking a few preventive precautions. For example, brushing your teeth twice daily for two minutes, followed by flossing, removes plaque and bacteria that contribute to oral issues. You can also rinse with alcohol-free, anti-bacterial mouthwash to kill harmful germs in your mouth.
Also, visiting your dentist every six months for a routine checkup and cleaning allows them to safeguard your smile. Consistent appointments ensure that they catch and treat any early concerns, like swollen or bleeding gums, before they progress.
At Weldon Dental of Rome, you benefit from a husband-and-wife team passionate about helping families in Rome improve their lives by enhancing their oral health. Dr. Ryan Weldon is a highly accomplished general dentist, and his wife, Dr. Leigh Weldon, is a board-certified pediatric dentist. Together, they provide a comprehensive menu of services to people of all ages conveniently under one roof, including gum disease therapies. If you’re worried the state of your smile, you can request an appointment on the website or call (706) 232-2082.
Weldon Dental of Rome can be found along Martha Berry Blvd NE, near the intersection of N 5th Ave and W 11th Street. We’re only minutes away from the Publix Super Market at Charles High Square, Atrium Health Floyd Medical Center, and Heritage Park. If you see Divine Salon & Spa or The Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy, you’re in the right place! We can’t wait to welcome you in soon and help you get started on a brighter, healthier smile.
