close window
Housecall Archives
About our e-newsletters
- Free e-newsletters
- Mayo Clinic expertise
- We do not share your e-mail address
Housecall, our weekly general-interest e-newsletter, keeps you up to date on a wide variety of health topics with timely, reliable, practical information, recipes, blogs, questions and answers with Mayo Clinic experts and more. Our biweekly topic-specific e-newsletters also include blogs, questions and answers with Mayo Clinic experts, and other useful information that will help you manage your health.
Housecall Archives
close window
Mayo Clinic Housecall
Stay up to date on the latest health information.
What you get
- Free weekly e-newsletter
- Mayo Clinic expertise
- Recipes, tools and other helpful information
- We do not share your e-mail address
Risk factors
By Mayo Clinic staffGingivitis is very common, and anyone can develop it. Many people first experience gum problems during puberty and then in varying degrees throughout life.
Factors that can increase your risk of gingivitis include:
- Poor oral health habits
- Tobacco use
- Diabetes
- Older age
- Decreased immunity as a result of leukemia, HIV/AIDS or other conditions
- Certain medications
- Certain viral and fungal infections
- Dry mouth
- Hormonal changes, such as those related to pregnancy, your menstrual cycle or use of oral contraceptives
- Poor nutrition
- Substance abuse
- Ill-fitting dental restorations
References
- Ubertalli JT. Gingivitis. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec08/ch095/ch095c.html?qt=gingivitis&alt=sh. Accessed Aug. 27, 2010.
- Davies R, et al. Dentifrices: An update. Medicina Oral, Patologia Oral, Cirugia Bucal. In press. Accessed Aug. 27, 2010.
- Wilder RS, et al. Gingivitis and periodontitis in adults: Classification and dental treatment. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 30, 2010.
- Nguyen DH, et al. Common dental infections in the primary care setting. American Family Physician. 2008;77:797.
- Darby I. Non-surgical management of periodontal disease. Australian Dental Journal 2009;54(suppl):S86.
- Gingivitis. American Academy of Periodontology. http://www.perio.org/consumer/gingivitis.htm. Accessed Sept. 3, 2010.
- Carr AB (expert opinion). MayoClinic, Rochester, Minn. Sept. 8, 2010.
Find Mayo Clinic on