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How Gum Disease Can Affect Your Overall Health

Your teeth and gums greatly impact your health, and you don’t need an expert periodontist in Pompano Beach to tell you that. The infection that causes gum disease can get into your bloodstream and reach important parts of your body, which can have some severe consequences.  

From an increased risk of Alzheimer’s to diabetes and cardiovascular disease, gum disease can have several consequences to your overall health—besides the damage it can do to your mouth, that is. In this article, we’ll explain them so that you can better understand the unwanted consequences of not getting the periodontal treatment you need. 

Periodontist in Pompano Beach Explains Risks of Gum Disease

How Gum Disease Impacts Your Health 

Periodontitis is an infection that develops deep below the surface of your gums, causing a visible inflammation. As it advances, bacteria move down below the gum line and form pockets by the tooth root, where plaque can accumulate easily. 

The infection damages the tissues that keep the tooth in place, which can lead to increased sensitivity and pain, gum recession, bleeding gums, and, in the worst case, tooth loss. However, the problems don’t stop there. 

Far from being confined to your mouth, gum disease can affect your overall well-being. There is growing evidence linking oral health to several of the most serious illnesses in the world, including: 

  • Diabetes 
  • Alzheimer’s 
  • Obesity 
  • A range of cancers 
  • Rheumatoid arthritis 
  • Parkinson’s 
  • Pneumonia 
  • Complications in pregnancy 

In addition, atherosclerosis—a hardening of the artery walls—and periodontitis can exacerbate each other. Patients who already have atherosclerosis are more susceptible to periodontitis. 

Why Are There So Many Associated Risks to Gum Disease? 

When gingivitis persists, gum disease-causing bacteria, like Porphyromonas gingivalis and Treponema denticola, enter the bloodstream. In response to the presence of bacteria or other pathogens, immune cells launch an offensive using a plethora of cellular messaging molecules called inflammatory markers.  

These inflammatory markers help the immune system attack and eliminate invasive pathogens. But if these sentinels stay in the body for an extended period, they can trigger or worsen other inflammatory diseases, resulting in a variety of issues.  

Some Signs to Look Out for 

As you can see, gum disease is an illness to look out for to protect your overall health. Luckily, it can be prevented by maintaining proper oral hygiene and visiting a dentist regularly. 

  • Puffy, swollen gums 
  • Red or purple-colored gums 
  • Sore gums and pain chewing 
  • Bleeding gums while brushing 
  • Bad breath 

If you notice any of these issues, reach out to a periodontist immediately to get a proper diagnosis! 

Periodontist in Pompano Beach Explains Gum Disease Risks During Pregnancy

Learn More from a Periodontist in Pompano Beach 

No one wants to be infected, but before gum disease progresses, it may be easy to underestimate the extent of this infection. Gingivitis may be basically unnoticeable until its advanced stages, making it easy to underestimate the damage it may cause. 

However, your oral health is deeply connected with your entire body. To prevent it from spreading further and protect yourself, contact Park Plaza Dental and let us assess your situation to see how we can help you. 

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