Periodontal disease (advanced gum disease) is a huge concern for dentists and other healthcare professionals, as it can cause tooth loss and lead to bone loss in the jaw, but can also affect general health. Lots of people are still not aware of the way oral health affects overall health and view any diseases in the mouth as somehow not being relevant to general health. Unfortunately this is not the case, and a healthy mouth can help you have a healthy body and vice versa. But what exactly is this link and how much is known about it?
What Causes Periodontal Disease?
Advanced gum disease is caused by bacteria in the mouth being allowed to multiply to unmanageable numbers. This results in infected and inflamed gum tissues, and the disease gradually destroys other surrounding tissues including the ligaments holding teeth in place and the bone around the teeth. Periodontal disease is an inflammatory disease, and clinical studies have linked it to other inflammatory conditions that affect the whole body. These include rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes.
What Is the Link between Periodontal Disease and Other Diseases?
It’s suspected that having a disease such as diabetes can increase the risk of periodontal disease, and conversely having periodontal disease can increase the risk of developing diabetes. This link has been made due to the way bacteria from the mouth are able to enter the body, and the impact they can have once inside the bloodstream. Their presence can also make it more difficult to control diseases such as diabetes through negatively affecting blood sugar levels. Much more research is needed into the connection between diabetes and other diseases and periodontal disease, as scientists are still not very sure of the exact link. What does seem certain is the fact that it exists, so what can you do to reduce your risk?
Prevention Is Always Better Than the Cure
It can help to concentrate on preventative dental care which includes simple measures such as brushing at least twice a day and flossing once a day, combined with regular check-ups and professional prophylaxis at your dentist. These measures are not difficult, and the good news is that once you have relatively good oral health then it’s not that tricky to maintain.
If you already have some sort of disease such as rheumatoid arthritis or diabetes, then paying closer attention to your oral health could help control these diseases. Your dentist will want to know if you have any condition that could affect your oral health, and may suggest a slightly different treatment plan for you. It might be that you would benefit from more frequent check-ups and professional cleanings, and this can be quite a simple way of helping to improve your oral and general health.
Yours in oral health,
