Gums and Your Health….more than just white teeth!
Gum disease (periodontitis) has long been associated with dreaded bad news from the dentist: in fact, gum disease has replaced tooth decay as the most common cause of tooth loss in adults. Research suggests that infection from the oral cavity may increase the risk of and complication for a number or serious systemic diseases and conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and respiratory illness.
Some scientific studies have revealed an inverse relationship between diabetes and periodontal disease. Blood sugar levels in diabetics with periodontal disease were significantly reduced when gum disease was treated by a dental professional. As a result, the patients gum responded more favorably on routine maintenance due to the lower blood sugar.
The study of the link between heart disease and periodontal disease is uncovering new findings every day. Diseases of the heart and blood vessels are related to the thickening of the walls of arteries, a condition called atherosclerosis. In May of 2006 at the American society for Microbiology meeting, researchers identified germs in certain oral bacteria that invade and infect these arterial walls.
In a nutshell when your gums bleed, bacteria enter your blood stream. These bacteria move through blood vessels to distant sites in the body including the heart. The artery becomes thicker and blood clots may form as the arteries become clogged. This condition can result in a heart attack or stroke depending on the location of the blood clot.
It is know that some of these “bugs’ when inhaled can cause pneumonia particularly in the elderly. Others have been able to move through the blood vessels into the uterus and attach themselves in the placenta.
Signs & Symptoms of Gums Disease may include but are not limited to: Bleeding Gums after Brushing & Eating, Blood on morning pillow, Constant BAD Breath Gums that are red & puffy instead of pink and firm, Spaces that develop between teeth
It is very important to place oral maintenance in the forefront as one of life’s daily routines. No longer can we consider good oral hygiene as a form of vanity, and is in fact a question of survival. Regular brushing and flossing are paramount. Visits to the Dentist for exams and cleanings are equally important so that your oral professional may evaluate medications and pre-existing systemic conditions. Hormones, steroids, cancer drugs all can disturb the normal bacterial system.
Maintaining a healthily mouth is much more than white teeth….doing this may save your life!
Reprinted from an article by Michael Cushman, DDS
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