How Reversing Periodontal Disease Improves Your Overall Health
Caused by a group of inflammatory diseases that affect the gums, periodontitis poses many health risks – some of them serious – if it is not treated. Serious illnesses, such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes and premature births have been linked with severe periodontal disease. Therefore, treatment of this disease improves overall health.
Fortunately, there are many successful treatments in the fight against gum disease, including professional cleanings, scaling and root planning, medications and surgical procedures, such as soft tissue grafts, bone grafts and pocket reduction surgery. If you’re suffering from periodontal disease, call (951) 244-9495 or Go Online to Request Appointment with Dr. Hauser at Lakefront Family Dentistry today.
3 Ways Reversing Periodontal Disease Improves Health
Not only does reversing periodontal disease improve the health and condition of the teeth and gums, it lowers the risk for potentially life-threatening diseases, improves quality of life, and improves overall health. Following are three ways treatment helps:
Lower Risk for Certain Diseases
As mentioned, severe gum disease can lead to serious illnesses, such as heart disease, diabetes, respiratory disease, and certain types of cancers. In fact, gum disease is considered a major risk factor for heart and pulmonary diseases right along with high cholesterol and high blood pressure.
While researchers aren’t exactly sure why the presence of gum disease is a risk factor for disease, there is compelling evidence that suggests a strong link between periodontitis and certain illnesses. What’s more, some links are pretty straight forward. Bacteria that grow in the mouth, for example, can cause pneumonia if inhaled into the lungs.
Allows for a Better, Healthier Diet
If left untreated, gum disease can lead to tooth decay, bone loss and tooth loss. All of these complications have a huge impact on diet and nutrition. Not only is it difficult to eat properly with a sore and infected mouth, tooth loss makes it impossible to eat some types of foods, which severely limits diet, especially if dentures are not an option due to severe bone loss.
A healthy mouth allows for a varied and healthy diet. And interestingly, a healthy and varied diet supports healthy gums and teeth and lowers risk for gingivitis and other inflammatory gum diseases.
Removes Infection and Improves Immune System
Periodontal disease leads to the formation of pockets between the gums and teeth. Food particles and bacteria commonly get trapped in the pockets, which leads to tooth decay, infection and pain. If left unchecked, infection found in the mouth can move throughout the body, lowering the body’s natural ability to fight other illnesses.
Infection may also become systemic, meaning it can affect multiple organ systems and the entire body itself. Sepsis, a serious medical condition that is characterized by a full-body infection, may even lead to death.
There are many reasons why good oral health leads to better overall health. If you think you may have periodontitis or early stages of gum disease, such as gingivitis, it’s imperative that you call Lakefront Family Dentistry at (951) 244-9495 or use our convenient online form to make an appointment with Dr. Hauser. Reversing periodontal disease is possible, but you must seek treatment to do so.
