Gum Disease and Systemic Health
Could the health of my mouth affect my general health?
Yes. There are new findings, which show infections in the mouth can cause problems in other parts of the body.
Problems that poor dental health could cause include:
– Diabetes
– Heart Disease
– Strokes
– Respiratory (lung) disease.
– Giving birth to a premature or low-birth-weight baby
Kidneys
Researchers suggest a connection between gum infections and kidney disease, where edentulous or toothless adults, may be more likely to have chronic kidney disease than dentate adults. Endentulism was found to be significantly associated with Chronic Kidney Disease, indicating that oral care may play a role in reducing the prevalence of chronic kidney disease
Both periodontal disease and chronic kidney disease are considered inflammatory conditions, and previous research has suggested that inflammation may be the common link between these diseases.
Diabetes
People with diabetes are 2 to 3 times more likely to have gum disease than people without diabetes, which significantly increases the risk of tooth loss. This is probably because diabetics are more likely to get infections in general. People who do not know they have diabetes, or whose diabetes is not under control, are especially at risk.
If you do have diabetes it is important that any gum disease is diagnosed, because it can increase your blood sugar. This would put you at risk of other diabetic complications. Also, if you are diabetic, you may find that you heal more slowly.
Lungs
More cases of bacterial pneumonia are taking place each year. It is a costly infection and a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in patients of all ages.
Bacterial pneumonia in adults is the result of aspiration of oropharyngeal bacteria into the lower respiratory tract and the persons defenses fail to eliminate the contaminating bacteria, which multiply in the lung and cause infection. Today, we know that pneumonia and lung abscesses, can be the result of infection by anaerobic bacteria. Dental plaque would seem to be a logical source of these bacteria, especially in patients with periodontal disease. Poor oral hygiene and periodontal disease may promote oropharyngeal colonization by potential respiratory pathogens.
Heart
People with gum disease are almost twice as likely to have coronary artery disease or a stroke than people without gum disease. When people have gum disease, bacteria from the mouth can get into the bloodstream. The bacteria produce a protein, which can cause clots in your blood. Blood clots reduce normal blood flow, so that the heart and brain does not get all the nutrients and oxygen it needs. If the blood flow is badly affected this could lead to a heart attack or stroke.
Pregnant women
Pregnant women who have gum disease may be over three times more likely to have a baby that is premature as well as having low birth weight. There is a 1 in 4 chance that a pregnant woman with gum disease will give birth before 35 weeks.
It seems that gum disease raises the levels of the chemicals that bring on labour. Research also suggests that women whose gum disease gets worse during pregnancy have an even higher risk of having a premature baby.
Having gum disease treated properly during pregnancy can reduce the risk of a premature birth.
Joints
Retention of teeth into advanced age makes caries and periodontitis lifelong concerns. These, are two sources whereby oral bacteria access the bloodstream.
Oral organisms have been linked to infections of the endocardium, meninges, mediastinum, vertebrae, hepatobiliary system, and prosthetic joints.
People with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are eight times more likely to have gum disease than people without this autoimmune disease. Inflammation may be the common denominator between the two. Making matters worse: people with RA can have trouble brushing and flossing because of damage to finger joints. The good news is that treating existing gum inflammation and infection can also reduce joint pain and inflammation.
Brain
A recent study found that people with fewer teeth had a higher risk of experiencing memory loss or early-stage Alzheimer’s disease. This may be because the gum infections that can cause tooth loss may release chemicals that increase the brain inflammation, which leads to earlier memory loss.
Also, people with gum disease are almost twice as likely to have a stroke than people without gum disease. When people have gum disease, bacteria from the mouth can get into the bloodstream. The bacteria produce a protein, which can cause clots in your blood. Blood clots reduce normal blood flow, so that the brain does not get all the nutrients and oxygen it needs. If the blood flow is badly affected this could lead to a stroke.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does gum disease run in families?
Although there is some evidence that gum disease runs in families, the main cause is the plaque that forms on the surface of your teeth. To prevent gum disease, first we need to check your gums to know you don´t have it, then we can make sure you remove all the plaque from your teeth every day by brushing and cleaning in between your teeth with a specific technique. It´s easy and highly cost effective!
What can I do at home to prevent periodontal disease?
The best way to prevent periodontal disease is to take good care of your teeth and gums at home. This includes brushing your teeth after every meal and before bedtime, flossing at least once each day, and seeing your periodontist for regular exams every 6 months to a year. Spending a few minutes a day on preventative measures may save you the time and money of treating periodontal disease!
Once you have gum disease it can never be fully cured but we can still help you. For patients with gum disease, we offer a program of care that helps to slow down and in many cases stop its progression maintaining teeth for a life time.
Can smoking affect my teeth and gums?
People who smoke are more likely to produce bacterial plaque that leads to gum disease. The gums are also affected because smoking means you have less oxygen in your bloodstream, so the infected gums do not heal. Smoking can also lead to tooth staining, tooth loss, bad breath, and in more severe cases mouth cancer. However if you are a smoker, we can still help you with your gums. We have successfully helped control the gum disease in many of our patients who smoke, so don´t give up on your oral health just because you´re not ready to kick the habit yet.
What are the consequences of missing teeth?
There are several negative consequences of missing some or all of your teeth. Missing teeth will make it more difficult to chew your food properly affecting your overall diet. It may also affect the way you speak and have emotional consequences as many people feel less confident about their smile when they are missing teeth. When one tooth is missing, the teeth next to it and the opposing teeth actually move to fill in the space, which means your bite could change creating bite problems. Missing teeth will also affect the aesthetics of your face. Not only will your smile be affected by the gaps from missing teeth, but if you’re missing too many teeth in the anterior area, the skin around your mouth won’t be supported properly and will start to sag, making your appear older than you are. If you are currently missing any of your teeth, consider replacing them. There are many alternative treatment options to suit your particular needs. Contact us for a consultation today.