Whos At Risk for Gingivitis?
Certain people are more susceptible to gingivitis. Stress, smoking and poor nutrition can contribute to the development of gingivitis. Certain medications such as steroids, heart medications, cancer therapy drugs, anti-epilepsy drugs, and anti-depressants also increase the risk for gingivitis. In the presence of plaque, these medications can lead to gum overgrowth. The enlarged gums can further interfere with oral hygiene, precipitating a vicious cycle of further gum enlargement. Changes in female hormones can also increase the vulnerability to gingivitis. Adolescent women, pregnant women and women who take hormone replacement or birth control pills also have a greater risk of developing gingivitis. There are several systemic illnesses that are associated with gingivitis. These include • acute leukemia • Addison’s disease • diabetes • hemophilia • immunodeficiency diseases (including HIV) The swelling and redness of the gums may be disproportional to the amount of plaque present. To pr
