Did you know that your gum health is linked to other severe health problems like diabetes and cardiac issues? No one likes to see a stain of blood on their bathroom sink as they brush their teeth in the morning. But little did you know that such stains are actually trying to warn you of a more serious issue known as the periodontal or gum disease. What if we told you that apart from diabetes and cardiac conce
s, unchecked gum disease puts you at a greater risk of developing the likes of cancer as well? Wouldn’t you say that earlier intervention is worth your while then? Now that we have your attention, let’s dive deeper into what gum disease really is and how it can affect your overall health.
What is Gum Disease?Periodontitis, or
gum disease, as it is mostly referred to nowadays, is a periodontal disease of the gums that starts with the development of bacteria in your mouth. In simpler words, the disease can start when you do not brush your teeth properly. Yes, it’s just as simple as that. If the disease is not treated timely with
professional dental care, there is a high possibility you might end up losing your tooth due to the damage caused to the tissue that holds your tooth in place.
What Causes this Disease?
The main cause of periodontitis or periodontitis gum disease is plaque. However, different factors can further add to the growth of the periodontal illness. These include:
• For the ladies, hormonal changes are an everyday occurrence. Be it during pregnancy, menstruation, pubescence, or menopause. If you are going through any of such phases, the probability of periodontitis is relatively higher.
• Apparently, diseases and infections like HIV, Diabetes, and Cancer elevate your risks of developing gum disease. Say for example, in case of Diabetes, since your body doesn’t have the ideal mechanism for glucose metabolism, the chances of infection and cavities, especially those related to gums and teeth, is higher.
• Don’t take the saliva in your mouth for granted! The saliva in our mouth helps in protecting us against the diseases of the teeth and gums including periodontitis. Medications like Dilantin and Procardia can often reduce the production of saliva, immediately putting you at a higher risk of developing Periodontitis.
• We all are aware of how damaging smoking can be for our health, nevertheless, people continue to smoke and harm themselves. Even if you don’t want to live a long life, at least put an effort into living a healthy one for as long as you are alive. Smoking ruins the latter chances for you as well since it is associated with giving rise to Periodontitis.
• Then we have poor oral hygiene, which is fairly easier to understand. Not brushing and flossing, even once a day can seriously affect your dental health.
• Finally, of course, the gum disease runs in your family in which case you are automatically at a higher risk of developing it yourself.
Symptoms Associated with Gum Diseaser
The symptoms associated with gum disease include:
• Bleeding of gums
• Swollen or tender gums
• Constant bad breath or a bad taste in the mouth
• Loose or shifting teeth, etc.
If you notice any of these symptoms in your mouth, rush to your dentist right away!
How Can Gum Disease be prevented?
So, enough with the scaring then! The good news is that if you are able to identify the symptoms earlier, your chances of preventing Periodontitis are quite high. As a matter of fact, even if you develop the disease, you don’t have to think of yourself as a terminal patient. The disease can still be turned around with professional dental care and attention. In either case, begin with taking care of your oral health and follow a good oral hygiene routine recommended by your dentist. Stop being lazy, get off your couch and brush and floss your teeth at least twice daily. This will keep the exterior protected from the plaque. Regular flossing will ensure that no amount of food is stuck between your teeth that can later turn into a plaque. Opt for expert cleaning at least twice yearly. No, it won’t make you bankrupt, we promise! In fact, it will help you save heaps in the long run!
How Gum Disease Affects Your Overall Health?
As for the bad news, though, gum diseases are not a standalone inconvenience, as they are associated with other serious health problems as well. A research conducted by
CDC showed potential connections between gum disease and many other serious medical conditions including diabetes, heart problems, kidney diseases, etc. If you are in your prime age and your immune system is working at its peak, you may be protected against the hazard of the bacteria, but otherwise, it has the potential to lead to the likes of stroke and heart disorders. In addition to this, diabetes is not just a hazard factor for gum infection, but it can actually be aggravated - and made much worse -by the presence of gum sickness.
Moreover, newer research has shown that gum disease may play a vital part in the growth and development of many other medical conditions, such as Alzheimer's disease, cancer, and various respiratory disorders.
No matter what the cause, early detection is key to keeping your overall health in top shape. Regular dental checkups and professional dental care will ensure that your teeth and gums remain free from any cavities, infections, and plaque – keeping all types of oral diseases at bay.