Oral hygiene sometimes gets overlooked when considering how to maintain excellent health in favour of other facets of our well-being. But over time, studies have shown a strong connection between systemic health and gum disease. It turns out that there is a stronger connection between dental health and general health than we would have thought.
This blog will explore the link between gum disease and overall health, illuminating how crucial it is to keep healthy gums for a healthy body.
The Oral-Systemic Health Connection
Cardiovascular Diseases
Researchers and medical experts have paid close attention to the connection between gum disease and cardiovascular disorders. According to studies, inflammatory gum tissues allow the same germs that cause gum disease to enter the circulation. These bacteria have the ability to enter the circulation and cause an immunological reaction that results in inflammation throughout the body, including the blood vessels.
Atherosclerosis, a disorder in which fatty deposits, cholesterol, and other chemicals accumulate on the artery walls, narrowing the arteries and reducing blood flow, can be facilitated by inflammation in the blood vessels. Heart disease and stroke risk may rise as a result. Additionally, gum disease-related bacteria can directly infect the blood arteries that supply the heart, resulting in disorders like endocarditis, an infection of the heart’s inner lining.
So, make sure to visit a cardiologist before searching for “gum bleeding treatment near me.”
Diabetes
Diabetes increases the risk of gum disease because it reduces blood flow and suppresses the immune system. Bacteria flourish in an environment with high blood sugar levels, increasing the risk of illnesses like gum disease. On the other hand, gum disease might negatively affect the control of diabetes.
Because systemic inflammation can interfere with insulin action, gum disease-related inflammation can make it harder for people with diabetes to regulate their blood sugar levels. This leads to a vicious cycle in which untreated gum disease makes diabetes management worse and poorly managed diabetes increases the risk of gum disease.
Respiratory Problems
There is a connection between the respiratory system and the mouth. Particularly in those with weakened immune systems or respiratory disorders, bacteria from diseased gums can be breathed or aspirated into the lungs. These bacteria can either cause or worsen respiratory illnesses like pneumonia and bronchitis after they have entered the lungs.
The consequences of oral bacteria on lung health are particularly dangerous for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or asthma. Therefore, controlling gum disease may contribute to lowering the risk of respiratory problems.
Pregnancy Complications
Pregnancy gingivitis can develop when hormonal changes make the gums more prone to inflammation. Gingivitis can develop into a more serious gum disease if it is not addressed. According to research, women who have untreated gum disease during pregnancy may be at higher risk for issues including preterm birth and low birth weight kids.
Gum disease’s inflammatory and infectious symptoms might impact the developing embryo and cause an immunological reaction that could have negative effects. To reduce the risk of difficulties from gum disease during pregnancy, good oral hygiene and dental care are crucial. Visit a gum bleeding dentist to prevent any such issues.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
An autoimmune condition called rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is characterized by joint inflammation. According to certain research, gum disease may increase the likelihood that RA symptoms may develop. Although the precise processes underlying this link are unclear, it is thought that the inflammation brought on by gum disease may aggravate the inflammation existing in RA.
Researchers have also discovered that people with RA had a higher chance of developing gum disease, presumably as a result of shared risk factors or immune system dysregulation.
Alzheimer’s Disease
Research on the connection between gum disease and Alzheimer’s disease is underway. Studies have linked gum disease to a higher risk of cognitive deterioration and Alzheimer’s disease, while the precise relationship is still not entirely understood.
According to one idea, gum disease’s long-term inflammation may lead to brain inflammation and the emergence of neurodegenerative illnesses like Alzheimer’s. Additionally, some Alzheimer’s patients have been shown to have gum disease-related bacteria in their brains, however, the implications of this finding are still being researched. We would advise you to visit your doctor before searching for a “gum bleeding dentist near me.”
Maintaining Oral Health for Overall Well-being
Maintaining proper oral hygiene is essential for overall wellness given the considerable correlation between gum disease and systemic health. Here are some crucial pointers for guarding against gum disease and fostering good oral health:
Flossing And Brushing Regularly:
One of the most essential habits for maintaining good oral hygiene is cleaning your teeth thoroughly and frequently. Using fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush, brushing should be done at least twice a day, ideally just after meals. Plaque, a bacterial film that accumulates on teeth and is difficult to remove with brushing, can cause tooth decay and gum disease if left untreated.
By getting to places that a toothbrush can’t reach, such as the crevices between teeth and along the gumline, flossing enhances brushing. Daily flossing lowers the risk of gum inflammation and cavities in between teeth by removing plaque and food particles that have been stuck in these small crevices. In order to achieve complete cleaning, proper flossing technique calls for carefully slipping the floss between teeth and curving it around each tooth in a C shape.
Regular Dental Check-ups:
Additionally to practicing proper oral hygiene at home, it’s important to visit your dentist on a regular basis for dental checkups. The recommended frequency for dental appointments is every six months, but if you are more likely to develop gum disease or other oral problems, your dentist may advise more regular visits.
Your dentist will carefully examine your teeth, gums, and mouth throughout these checkups. They will search for indications of gum disease, including pockets between the gums and teeth, redness, swelling, and bleeding. Early gum disease discovery is essential because it enables timely gum bleeding treatment, halting the condition’s progression to more severe stages.
Another essential component of these examinations is professional dental cleanings. Even with attentive at-home dental hygiene, some plaque and tartar can build up in the mouth’s hard-to-reach regions. By eliminating these deposits, dental hygienists lower the risk of gum disease and maintain the health of your teeth and gums.
Balanced Diet:
A healthy diet significantly contributes to the maintenance of strong gums and teeth. Vitamin and mineral-rich foods are crucial for keeping healthy teeth and supporting the tissues that hold teeth in place. Vitamin C, calcium, and phosphorus in particular are particularly high in these nutrients.
Don’t smoke:
Gum disease has a high-risk factor for everybody who uses tobacco, including those who smoke or use smokeless tobacco products. Smoking impairs immunological function, making it more difficult for the gums to fend off infections and inflammation. Additionally, it has an impact on blood flow to the gums, which slows down the recovery process and worsens gum disease. Smoking can also discolour teeth, leave you with foul breath, and raise your risk of oral cancer.
In addition to improving oral health, quitting smoking or abstaining from tobacco products improves general health and lowers the chance of developing a number of systemic ailments.
Reduce Stress:
The body might suffer from chronic stress, which can affect how well the immune system works. The body is more prone to infections, such as gum disease, when the immune system is weak. In addition to contributing to poor dental hygiene, stress can also cause habits like nail-biting and bruxism, which can harm the teeth and gums.
Spending time with loved ones, exercising, meditating, or practising yoga are all stress-relieving activities that can support better dental and general health. Consider speaking with a healthcare provider or therapist about your worries if stress is leading to serious dental health problems in order to come up with effective coping mechanisms.
Conclusion:
The connection between gum disease and systemic health emphasizes how crucial dental health is to preserving general well-being. When dental hygiene is neglected, it can have a negative influence on many other areas of our health. Good oral hygiene practices and routine dental checkups can help us lower our chance of developing gum disease and perhaps lessen its negative consequences on our overall health. Take care of your gums and teeth since a healthy mouth makes a healthy body.
