A 34-year-old member asked:
What causes gum disease?
4 doctor answers • 7 doctors weighed in

Dr. Gary Sandleranswered
Dentistry 55 years experience
Gum Disease from-: Poor oral hygiene. Due to the limited amount of space we have here to discuss this issue, i would recommend that you read all about it on the following website which is a good source of information: http://www.Mouthhealthy.Org/en/az-topics/g/gum-disease.Aspx.
5.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Gregory LaMorteanswered
Periodontics 43 years experience
Plaque buildup: Bacteria in plaque make toxins that irritate your gums causing them to bleed-gingivitis. If that continues, some folks get bone loss-periodontitis, .
5.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Peter Ihle commented
Orthopedic Surgery 55 years experience
meth mouth? also Neurontin has a side effect of gum hyperplasia.
Sep 4, 2013

Dr. Eric Daleanswered
Periodontics 27 years experience
Bacteria infection: Gum disease is a bacterial infection. It infects the gums and bone that hold the teeth in the mouth. Inadequate brushing and flossing are main causes, as well as not visiting the dentist regularly. There is also a genetic link, and many medical connections to other diseases.
4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

Dr. Manami Yamaguchianswered
Dentistry 26 years experience
MANY REASONS!: 1) Not removing the bacteria buildup often: Your home care is important (daily brushing and flossing), and since there are many spots where you cannot remove the bacteria even with the best home care, regular professional cleaning is very important.
2) Hormonal changes, aging--ability to fight decreases...
3) Poor nutrition--minerals and vitamins are so important
4) Smoking, Diabetes, Medication
69 viewsAnswered Jun 13, 2020
Similar questions
A 32-year-old member asked:
What are some of the most common causes of gum disease?
4 doctor answers • 8 doctors weighed in

Dr. Kenneth Comeranswered
Dentistry 37 years experience
Ignorance/neglect: Most common reason people have bad teeth are due to neglect caused by ignorance. If parents dont take their children to the dentist as they grow the kids typically have problems. A lot of times those problems are gum disease. Using proper hygiene techniques you can prevent most gum disease.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 32-year-old member asked:
Can "the pill" cause gum disease?
5 doctor answers • 10 doctors weighed in

Dr. Ragan Faleranswered
Dentistry 25 years experience
No: Gum disease is a bacterial infection. Birth control pills are hormone suppliments, ie estrogen. Although changes in hormone levels can increase the vascularity of oral tissues which are then more prone to infection (for instance when you are pregnant), this doesn't occur with birth control pills.
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 42-year-old member asked:
What are the causes of gum disease if elderly?
3 doctor answers • 8 doctors weighed in

Dr. Meng Synanswered
Dentistry 39 years experience
Age: As we all get older, the effects of even a small amount of gum disease over our lives, compounds. The rate of bone and tissue loss from gum disease varies from individual to individual. Our bodies evolved to survive for around 50 years . After 50 years, hard and soft tissues can fail at a faster rate. Thankfully, there are many new and effective ways to treat tooth and gum loss.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated Jun 13, 2020
People also asked
Connect with a U.S. board-certified doctor by text or video anytime, anywhere.
24/7 visits - just $39!
50% off with $15/month membership
Disclaimer:
Content on HealthTap (including answers) should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and interactions on HealthTap do not create a doctor-patient relationship. Never disregard or delay professional medical advice in person because of anything on HealthTap. Call your doctor or 911 if you think you may have a medical emergency.