Understanding the Risks of Gum Disease

Periodontal disease

More commonly referred to as “gum disease” — is an infectious condition that causes loss of bone and gum support around the teeth. As you might guess, destruction of these supportive tissues can lead to one major problem: tooth loss.

But surprisingly to most, gum disease affects a person’s overall health just as much as it does their smile. Because periodontitis involves live bacteria and inflammation inside of the mouth, it can drastically impact your general level of wellness and complicate existing medical conditions.

The Oral-Systemic Connection

As oral bacteria flourish inside of the mouth and multiply just under the margins of your gum tissues, the gingiva pull back from your teeth and begin to exhibit chronic inflammation and bleeding. These classic symptoms allow for bacteria to spread directly from the areas around your teeth into your cardiovascular system.

Science now shows us that periodontal bacteria can lodge within the walls of blood vessels and increase inflammation throughout the body. When this happens, it becomes more challenging for your immune system to control. But your smile isn’t the only thing at risk; we know that certain medical and health conditions become more difficult to manage or treat when an uncontrolled gum infection exists.

Medical Conditions Linked to Gum Disease

Research shows that there are dozens of direct and suspected medical conditions linked with periodontitis. Some of the ones that scientists know are correlated with the severity of gum infections include:

Diabetes — Blood sugar levels are significantly altered by the presence of periodontal infections. As bacteria feed off of sugar, controlling glucose levels is key; yet, diabetics often do not see an improvement in their glucose levels until after gum disease is treated.

Cardiovascular Diseases (Stroke, Heart Attack, etc.) — Bacterial colonies lodge within the walls of cardiovascular vessels, contributing to the risk of disease and high blood pressure.

Preeclampsia, Premature Labor, Low Birth Weight Babies — A pregnant woman with active gum disease is likely to experience the spread of biofilm from her mouth through her cardiovascular system and into the placenta. As with smoking, this risk factor can impact the size of the baby and possible complications associated with the birth.

Fertility Complications in Men and Women (including ED) — Inflammation in the body can make it challenging for couples to conceive, as well as contribute to erectile dysfunction in males. Gum treatments show significant improvement in conception timelines.

Pneumonia and Respiratory Diseases — Accidental inhalation of plaque biofilm (especially among seniors) could lead to infections of the lungs.

…along with many others.

Boost Your Overall Health by Treating Periodontal Disease

Eliminating gum disease is the first step to improving your immune system and reducing inflammation in the body. As gum disease is managed, the body can better handle other situations that it is dealing with. In some studies, health improvement is noticeable within just a few months of professional dental care and re-vamped oral hygiene.

At Sachem Dental Group, our Long Island dentists focus on preventing and stopping gum disease early, so that you can reduce your risk of major health complications. If you’re experiencing symptoms of swollen or bleeding gums, schedule an appointment with our Suffolk County dentists today.