It’s time to give a boost to your oral hygiene, with more than just regular brushing and flossing else it would tax your overall health. Teeth and gums require consistent cleaning just like any other part of the body. Despite its importance, most people are unaware of the consequences the severity of gum disease could pose. Periodontal disease sets in slowly and deteriorates the blood vessels, tissues, and teeth. With its stage-wise development Gum disease impacts the whole body. Fitness enthusiasts must add oral hygiene to the list along with healthy food and exercise regimens. Your Dentist would educate you about the human body and its clues to indicate the health condition which makes it important to learn about the link between oral care and health.
What Is Periodontal or Gum Disease?
Bacterial infection is prevalent in the oral cavity. The two interlinked terms – gum disease and tooth decay can cause several problems in overall health. We have bacteria present in the mouth always that actually helps in breaking down the food and aids in digestion but too much of it is dangerous. The bacteria forms into thick plaque and sticks to the gum line which becomes hard to remove with normal brushing and flossing. It requires special tools for a total cleanup. Gum diseases need immediate attention before they develop into problems that cause health issues.
The Types of Gum Diseases:
Gingivitis.
This is a common problem and most people often experience it in their life at some point, it has mild symptoms of bleeding, pain, and gum soreness. It is reversible with the right medication and treatment and also post-treatment care.
Periodontitis.
When you leave gum disease like Gingivitis untreated for too long and it starts to damage the bone and the gums permanently it is known as Periodontitis. It is a severe gum disease that is irreversible although with certain treatment it may be stopped it requires a lot of maintenance and cleanup. The symptoms of the disease may include:
- Receding gums
- Inability to align the teeth while chewing
- Bad breath at all times
- Loose teeth and/or tooth loss
- Sore, Red, swollen and bleeding gums
- Pain while chewing
Critical Health Risk associated with Gum Diseases:
Increased risk of heart-related issues:
It may seem unnatural but gum diseases can indeed cause serious health issues which may affect the heart. The implications are serious and pose many problems like heart disease, stroke, and even heart attacks. The link between gum disease and heart problems is inflammation. The bacteria accumulated in the gums triggers inflammation that spreads throughout the body through the blood. This puts all the organs at risk. As systemic inflammation has detrimental effects it causes atherosclerosis which is the stage of hardening of the arteries and raises other heart issues as well. Research offers compelling evidence that links gum diseases with heart problems as per a paper published in the Journal of Periodontology individuals with gum disease had more chances to suffer from coronary artery disease compared to people with healthy gums.
With the bacteria that enters the bloodstream, it potentially leads to infective endocarditis, where bacteria reaches the heart valves or lining and attaches to it causing serious complications. Another study by Circulation Research found that the bacteria responsible for gum disease has implications of blood clots and high chances of the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
To conclude:
Good oral hygiene and a regular dental check are not only helpful to having a clean mouth but also essential to preserving overall health. More awareness in terms of gum diseases causing damage to other body organs, especially the heart is much needed for a healthy future. Being watchful of gum disease also contributes to a confident personality.