Gum Disease and Your Overall Health

Although brushing and flossing our teeth every day is often taken for granted, there’s nothing more important when it comes to avoiding gum disease. Gum disease doesn’t just affect our mouth, it can also affect our general health with serious complications. Estimates show that around three quarters of all Americans have gum disease in some form.

What is Gum Disease?

Gum disease is also known as periodontal disease, caused by bacteria when plaque and tartar build up. Some of the other factors that can cause gum disease include:

Smoking tobacco

Taking certain medication

Grinding or clenching your teeth

Genetics

The Different Types of Gum Disease Include:

Gingivitis: This is the first stage of gum disease and often goes unnoticed. At this stage, the disease is still reversible.  

Periodontitis: This is what happens when gingivitis goes untreated. There are many different levels if this kind of gum disease, but a common result is a chronic inflammatory response. This condition is when the body starts to break down bone and tissue in the affected area of the mouth, which can lead to bone and tooth loss.

The Signs of Gum Disease:

 Bad breath

Tooth mobility,

Bleeding, red or swollen gums,

Tooth loss,

Abscesses in teeth,

Tooth sensitivity due to receding gums.

Recent studies have suggested that gum disease could be a warning sign for potentially life threatening conditions, or could lead on to them:  

Heart Disease and Stroke: Studies have shown that gingivitis could increase the chances of developing heart disease or having a stroke due to the levels of bacteria present in the mouth. When periodontal disease keeps growing, the risk of the inflammation within the gums can create a risk of inflammation in other areas of the body – which is responsible for these two conditions.

Chronic Kidney Disease: Case Western Reserve University carried out a study that suggests that people who don’t have their own natural teeth are more likely to develop chronic kidney disease (or CDK). CDK can affect blood pressure and can also potentially be a cause of heart disease and kidney failure.

Diabetes: People with diabetes often suffer from a form of gum disease. According to the CDC, the likely cause for this is high blood glucose. As a result, people who have diabetes need to be even more vigilant than most when it comes to regular brushing and flossing to help prevent gum disease from getting any worse. It’s also important to go for regular check-ups with your dentist, and cleanings from your hygienist.

Preterm Birth: Babies born prematurely (before 37 weeks) are more likely to experience certain health complications. Research shows that it’s around three to five times more likely for babies to be born preterm if their mother has periodontal disease. On top of this, women are more likely to develop gingivitis when they are pregnant – this means that dental cleaning and examinations should be done regularly.

Treating Gum Disease

The treatment options will differ depending on the type of gum disease you suffer from:

Getting rid of calculus and plaque by getting your teeth scaled by a dentist or dental hygienist.

Medication can help, such as chlorhexidine gluconate, as well as a mouth rinse that can kill bacteria in the mouth, and regular cleanings. Only use rinses that have been prescribed by your dentist.

In some cases, surgery is necessary to slow down the progression of periodontal disease. Surgery is also used when bone has been lost in advanced stages of the condition, to replicate what’s been lost.

How Do I Prevent Gum Disease?

The easiest way to prevent this condition is to brush and floss regularly. However, you’ll also need to visit your dentist and dental hygienist regularly to get your teeth cleaned and to treat gum disease if it ever develops. If you think you have some of the symptoms of gum disease then it’s important that you visit a dentist.