Common Causes And Risk Factors For Gingivitis

Poor Nutrition

Gingivitis may be caused by receiving poor nutrition through the diet. Many nutrients the body relies on to carry out its homeostatic processes come from the food an individual consumes. Many minerals and vitamins the body requires cannot be produced by the body and must come from food. In particular, the immune system requires numerous minerals, vitamins, and other nutrients to perform at an optimal level. The immune system is responsible for fighting off harmful pathogens and foreign substances that attempt to invade the tissues of the body. An individual with poor nutrition may develop gingivitis due to the impaired functioning of their immune system. Plaque that accumulates on the teeth contains different types of bacteria that attempt to use the gum tissues to enter the body. A healthy individual may not develop an infection in their gums from the bacteria in plaque because their immune system can keep the bacteria at bay. An individual who does not receive enough nutrients and vitamins in their diet will have an impaired immune system that cannot fight the bacteria off as easily.

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