How Periodontal Disease Negatively Impacts Other Aspects of Your Health
If you have teeth that are sensitive to cold and heat, gums that bleed when you brush or floss, or a gum line that keeps creeping away from your teeth making them look elongated, it might be time to visit a qualified dentist. These could be signs of periodontal (gum) disease, which could adversely affect your overall health.
At Steelecroft Dental in Charlotte, North Carolina, Dr. John L. Bishop can evaluate your gum health and help you control periodontal disease so it doesn’t negatively impact the rest of your body’s systems.
What is periodontal disease?
When your gums aren’t properly cared for, or if you have a medical condition or take medication that affects your saliva production (such as diabetes, which causes dry mouth, or decongestants, which can do the same), you can get gum disease and not even know it is happening.
Periodontal disease has several stages:
Gingivitis: At this stage, bacteria from plaque buildup has managed to get between the gums and the teeth and has started to cause mild inflammation. Your gums may bleed when you floss or brush, or you may notice slight sensitivity to pressure, cold, or heat.
Periodontitis: At this stage, the pockets between your gums and teeth and deepened and widened, meaning more bacteria is getting into the gap. Inflammation is worse, and you may see puffiness or redness of your gums plus more blood when you brush and floss.
Advanced periodontal disease: At this stage, infection is rampant in your gums, and the bone that holds your teeth in place starts to dissolve. This can cause a cascade of tooth loss.
How does periodontal disease affect overall health?
Periodontal disease can cause inflammation in other parts of the body and indirectly affect or exacerbate many common health conditions:
Endocarditis. Bacteria can travel from your mouth and spread through the bloodstream to your heart, causing infection of the inner lining of your heart chambers or valves (endocardium).
Cardiovascular disease. Inflammation and infection caused by oral bacteria is thought to contribute to higher risk of heart disease, clogged arteries, and stroke.
Respiratory diseases. Pneumonia and similar conditions can be caused when bacteria from your mouth is pulled down into the lungs.
Pregnancy and birth complications. Premature birth and low birth weight have both been linked to periodontal disease in pregnant women.
What can be done for periodontitis?
A good oral hygiene routine at home paired with twice-annual dental cleanings is the best defense against gum disease. If you do have periodontitis, Dr. Bishop can help lay out a treatment plan for you that includes deep cleaning to remove bacteria below the gum line and gum treatments to close the pockets that hold bacteria and eliminate infections.
If you have signs of periodontal disease, it’s time to book an appointment with Dr. Bishop at Stonecroft Dental. You can call 980-320-0208, or request an appointment using our online booking system.