{"id":1101,"date":"2025-09-25T19:25:31","date_gmt":"2025-09-25T19:25:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rauchberg.com\/blog\/?p=1101"},"modified":"2025-09-25T19:25:32","modified_gmt":"2025-09-25T19:25:32","slug":"5-risk-factors-gum-disease","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rauchberg.com\/blog\/2025\/09\/25\/5-risk-factors-gum-disease\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Factors That Can Increase Your Risk of Gum Disease (Besides Not Brushing Your Teeth)"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-medium\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"201\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rauchberg.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/image-300x201.png\" alt=\"Patient with a clipboard filling out his health history\" class=\"wp-image-1102\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.rauchberg.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/image-300x201.png 300w, https:\/\/www.rauchberg.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/image.png 535w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>If you visit your dentist regularly, you probably know that bacteria build up can lead to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rauchberg.com\/periodontal-treatment.html\">gum disease.<\/a> While poor oral hygiene and neglecting to brush your teeth are some of the most common causes of this condition, it can be a little more complicated than that for some people. Below, you\u2019ll find five other factors that can increase your risk, and if any of them apply to you, you should let your dentist know so they can personalize your preventive plan!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--more-->\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">#1. Tobacco Usage<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Tobacco usage is so strongly linked to gum disease that experts consider it to be one of the most significant risk factors \u2013 right up there with poor oral hygiene habits. This applies to cigarettes, cigars, snuff, hookah, and <em>anything <\/em>with tobacco in it, because the problem is the chemicals themselves. They slow the healing process, damage your soft oral tissue, and make your mouth more vulnerable to bacteria.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">#2. Genetics<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Does your family seem to develop gum disease more easily than the average person? There could be some truth to that. Genetics play a role in how your immune system functions, how your body reacts to inflammation, and how much bacteria is in your mouth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">#3. Medications<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Oral contraceptives, anti-depressants, certain heart medicines, and other such drugs can also increase your risk. They might reduce your saliva levels, increase your body\u2019s sensitivity to inflammation, or impair your immune system. That\u2019s why it\u2019s so important to make sure your health history is up to date!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">#4. Pregnancy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Technically, any hormone fluctuation that impacts your inflammatory response and immune system could make it easier for you to develop gum disease. But because of everything else going on with your body during pregnancy, this most often applies to those who are expecting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">#5. Age<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that more than 70% of Americans who are 65 and older have some form of gum disease. It simply becomes harder for your body to fight off infections like gum disease as you age, and severe mobility issues can make it difficult to clean your teeth thoroughly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re more prone to this harmful oral condition, your dentist can take increased preventive measures to help keep your smile healthy. And, of course, they can also provide you with tips for reducing your risk at home. So don\u2019t hesitate to give them a call and let them know you\u2019re concerned about gum disease!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">About the Practice<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>As a multi-specialty practice with a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rauchberg.com\/dr-shim.html\">board-certified periodontist<\/a>, we\u2019re able to offer patients a comprehensive list of gum disease treatments at Rauchberg Dental Group. Our team of professionals is dedicated to helping you take care of your teeth and gums, and as such, we place great importance on patient education and resources. If you\u2019re worried you might be at increased risk for gum disease, please <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rauchberg.com\/contact-us.html\">contact our office<\/a> at 973-718-9887. We\u2019ll help you monitor your oral health and protect your smile!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you visit your dentist regularly, you probably know that bacteria build up can lead to gum disease. While poor oral hygiene and neglecting to brush your teeth are some of the most common causes of this condition, it can be a little more complicated than that for some people. Below, you\u2019ll find five other [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1101","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>5 Gum Disease Risk Factors | Rauchberg Dental Group<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Gum disease is more complicated than you might think. 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