Can Gum Disease Cause Other Health Problems? Here’s What the Research Says

Sometimes, your mouth can seem completely disconnected with the rest of your body. However, over the last decade, countless studies have been conducted that have found that people with poor oral health also have poor overall health and suffer from issues like heart attacks and respiratory infections. That means taking proper preventive dental precautions is more important than ever. Read on to find out what the research says and how you can improve your health.  

How Are Your Oral and Overall Health Connected?

Your body has a diverse and vast community of bacteria that are both good and bad. The point of brushing, flossing, and going to your dentist every six months is to reduce the amount of harmful oral bacteria. When they overpopulate your mouth, they begin to produce acid that causes enamel erosion, cause chronic bad breath, and release toxins that cause side-effects of gum disease. Some of these symptoms include:

• Swollen gums.
• Irritate gums.
• Bleeding gums when brushing or flossing.
• Red or purple gums.
• Receding gums.
• Loose teeth.
• Tooth loss.
• Chronic bad breath.

When left to progress, these signs begin to have more of a detrimental impact on your oral health. The toxins released by the harmful oral bacteria can then get into your bloodstream and travel throughout your body, creating problems in areas like your respiratory and cardiovascular systems.

What Health Problems Are Connected To Gum Disease?

Countless studies have been conducted that have connected the same inflammation-causing toxins to several additional diseases and conditions, including:

• Heart disease/severe heart attacks
• Respiratory infections/pneumonia
• Pregnancy and birth complications
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Diabetes

Some other conditions that may be linked to your oral health include eating disorders, certain cancers, immune system disorders, and rheumatoid arthritis. All of these can have a tremendous impact on important aspects of your life such as your mobility, and make it more difficult to do the activities and hobbies that you enjoy, causing your quality of life to decrease.  

How Can You Prevent Gum Disease?

One out of every two adults in the United States has gum disease. You’d think that with such a high statistic, it would be a condition that is difficult to prevent. However, with good oral hygiene, you can maintain your overall wellbeing and ward off gum disease. Preventive steps you can take to keep your oral health on track include:

• Routine checkups and cleanings with your dentist.
• Getting periodontal therapy in Lakewood.
• Brushing and flossing your teeth regularly.
• Quitting bad oral habits such as tobacco use.
• Eating a nutritious and healthy diet.

If you notice that you’re exhibiting common symptoms of gum disease, don’t hesitate to contact your dentist. They can examine your teeth and gums and let you know if gum disease treatment is necessary. With the proper help from trained and experienced professionals, paired with good at-home oral hygiene, you can protect your overall health and continue doing the activities you love.

About the Author

Dr. Sol Brotman has received his Certificate in Comprehensive General Dentistry, lectured at national conventions, and has even been the Chair of the Florida Board of Dentistry. He takes pride in providing patients with high-quality preventive treatments that keep small oral health problems from turning into massive inconveniences down the road. One of his latest accomplishments includes co-authoring a research article published in the Journal of the American Dental Association on diagnosis and restorative dentistry. To schedule an appointment and get a clean bill of health or for any questions, visit his website or call 904-396-4091.