If you’ve ever struggled with periodontitis, it’s important to understand the link between gum disease and overall health. Although most people think about dental issues being an issue all on their own, gum disease and other health problems are closely related.
The Impact Gum Health Has on Our Bodies
Active gum disease allows oral bacteria to travel through infected gum tissues into the bloodstream. This process triggers your immune system and raises inflammation throughout the body, making it difficult for you to ward off other co-existing infections.
Individuals with existing medical conditions will find that unless they address their gum disease, managing their health problem may not be possible either. It is statistically proven for people with more aggressive gum disease to also experience an increased risk or severity of:
- Diabetes
- Stroke
- Heart attack
- Pneumonia
- Erectile dysfunction
- Infertility
- Pre-term labor and birth
…and potentially even dementia and/or Alzheimer’s disease.
The Good News
Fortunately, there’s good news for people with periodontal disease. Undergoing gum disease treatment in Moorpark will help to eliminate the bacteria inside your mouth. By establishing a clean environment and healthier gums, your immune system can work more effectively against managing co-existing health issues.
Various clinical studies show that professional gum treatments typically produce improved overall health symptoms within just a few months. By breaking the cycle of infection, you can better handle the other medical conditions at play. For instance, diabetics who cannot get a grasp on their blood glucose levels tend to see their numbers stabilize within a few weeks of periodontal therapy.
Know How to Prevent Gum Disease
Periodontal disease is preventable with good home care, regular dental cleanings, and exams in Moorpark. By removing dental plaque along the gums each day, you can eliminate the source of infection before tissue and bone detachment occur. The key is to brush thoroughly along the gums long enough each day and floss just under the gumlines daily, before plaque calcifies into tartar buildup.
Professional dental cleanings are a great way to remove bacteria from hard-to-reach spaces. Providing you with a blank slate makes it easier to get gum health back on point through a modified home hygiene routine.
The bad news is that the longer gum disease is allowed to go untreated, the worse damage it does. Not only is your immune system strained, but your teeth are also at risk of becoming mobile and falling out.
A Reflection of Your Overall Wellness
If you’ve been struggling with your health and don’t know why, take a look in the mirror. Are your gums puffy and red? Do they bleed easily? Do you have visible tartar buildup or struggle with bad breath? If so, your periodontal disease may be making your health even worse than it already was.
By pinpointing oral infections and gaining control bacterial levels, you can help get your health back on track. The boost to your immune system may be all your body needs to better regulate other issues going on. But if you’re so focused on the other problems that your oral infection is getting worse, you’re unlikely to see any improvement at all. The key is to break the cycle and visiting your dentist may very well be the first step.
Schedule a Checkup Today
Have you been too busy with spending time in medical offices that you haven’t seen the dentist lately? Don’t forget the link between your oral and systemic wellness. Giving a little extra attention to your smile may be the only thing standing in the way of a you and healthier lifestyle.
If you have bleeding gums or it’s been longer than six months since your last dental checkup, contact Dental Smiles Studio in Moorpark to request an exam.
