Gum disease doesn’t just develop out of the blue. People can and do have traits that make them more likely to get it. The opposite is also true — changing or eliminating these things could lower the odds of contracting the condition. Assuming you’re interested in the latter, the issue becomes learning the gum disease risk factors.

Luckily, your local dentist can solve that problem for you. Listed below are five major risk factors for gum disease. Read about them so you can raise your chances of avoiding a nasty infection.

Do you know what you should ask your about at your next dentist appointment? It’d be better if you did. Your dental treatments will be more comfortable and effective if you know what information you need.

Here are four questions you should ask your dentist during a routine visit. Read on so you can ask them yourself at your next checkup.