Oral Systemic Connection
Keeping yourself healthy includes taking care of your smile as much as taking care of the rest of the body.
The smile is known as the gate way to the body. What impacts the smile may impact overall health. Known as the oral systemic connection, certain infections such as gum disease have a direct impact on pre-existing conditions such as diabetes and hear disease. The bacteria that causes gum disease can cause inflammation that can lead to issues in the body. It’s important to treat gum disease quickly before infection spreads and harms gums, teeth, jaw bone density, and the rest of the body.
Oral Health and Diabetes
One of the strongest oral systemic connections is the link between gum disease and patients with diabetes. Patients who develop gum disease find issues with healing from gum disease treatment, being susceptible to it, and even controlling blood sugar.
Once inflammation develops in the smile, patients with diabetes have a harder time controlling blood sugar and utilizing insulin properly. High blood sugar content creates an environment ideal for the plaque to buildup, the film-like material that causes gum disease to develop. Patients with diabetes may find it difficult to combat inflammation as well.
Oral Health and Bone Loss
Periodontal disease doesn’t lead to osteoporosis, but they share similar outcomes and warning signs. Osteoporosis impacts arms and legs while gum disease targets the jawbone. When inflammation and bacteria starts, the gums recede causing teeth to fall out. Once the teeth are gone, there are no tooth roots to stimulate jawbone density and it begins to recede. Studies have shown that compared to women who don’t have osteoporosis, those who do are more prone to develop gum disease.
Oral Health and Heart Disease
Like the link between osteoporosis and gum disease, the link between heart disease and gum disease is only examined due to common risk factors and causes. Inflammation is the main culprit for both of these conditions. When blood vessels become inflamed, it can cause blood clots to occur, making it difficult for blood to reach the heart and the rest of the body. Gum disease beings with inflammation of gums and leads to loss of tissue, teeth, and bone. Gum and heart disease share common risk factors, such as smoking, unhealthy diet, and excess weight.
The oral systemic connection is just one reasons to visit the dentist to treat your gum disease. For more information about gum disease treatments, contact our office today.