Gum Disease and Your Overall Health: How to Maintain a Healthy Mouth and Body
Millions of individuals throughout the world suffer from gum disease, which is a widespread issue. It is a dangerous ailment that may result in swelling, bleeding, and ultimately tooth loss. Yet, did you realize that gum disease can also negatively affect your general state of health? In this article, we’ll examine the link between gum disease and your health since at Dr. Pollock’s dentistry office, we feel it’s critical to maintain good oral health to safeguard your entire health.
Gum Illness and Overall Health
Gum disease can significantly affect your general health, according to studies. For instance, gum disease has been connected to a number of significant medical disorders, such as diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. The risk of these problems developing or getting worse is increased because the bacteria that cause gum disease might enter the bloodstream.
In addition, respiratory conditions like pneumonia and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease have been associated with gum disease (COPD). When gum disease-causing bacteria enter the lungs, they can cause inflammation and raise the risk of respiratory issues.
Dental Illness and Pregnancy
Gum disease risk can also increase during pregnancy. Pregnancy-related hormonal changes might make the gums more sensitive and prone to infection. Gum disease during pregnancy increases the chance of preterm birth, low birth weight, and other issues if it is not treated.
It’s crucial to keep your mouth healthy during pregnancy in order to safeguard both your health and that of your unborn child. This includes getting regular dental checkups, brushing and flossing often, and, if necessary, getting treatment for gum disease.
Diabetes and Gum Disease: A Link
Gum disease can also have an impact on people with diabetes. Gum disease is more common in diabetics, and it might make it more difficult to maintain blood sugar levels. High blood sugar levels might also raise the possibility of gum disease arising or getting worse.
It’s crucial to keep your blood sugar under control, seek treatment for gum disease if necessary, and maintain good oral and general health. Gum disease and other oral health issues can be decreased with regular dental checkups and proper oral hygiene habits.
Therapy for Periodontitis
The course of treatment for gum disease depends on how severe the condition is. A deep cleaning operation, such as scaling and root planing, may be used as part of the initial treatment. In order to lower the chance of spreading infection, this involves cleaning plaque and tartar from the teeth and below the gumline.
Surgery can be required in more severe circumstances to remove infected tissue and encourage healing. In certain circumstances, bone or tissue grafts may also be required to restore lost bone or tissue and maintain the gums’ health.
Gum disease is a dangerous issue that can have a major effect on your general health, to sum up. The danger of oral health issues can be decreased, protecting your general health, with the help of routine dental checkups, proper oral hygiene habits, and timely treatment for gum disease. We, at Dr. Pollock’s dental office, are delighted to assist you in maintaining a healthy, beautiful smile because we understand how important it is to safeguard your entire health by maintaining good oral health.
