The connection between your oral health and systemic health is impactful. Caring for both ensures optimal wellbeing. A prime example of this connection is gum disease, where the bacteria may impact conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Understanding these connections can help with caring for your overall health. At Pacific Dental Associates, we focus on providing the most in preventive, conservative care to ensure patients’ smiles are as healthy as possible.
Systemic Conditions
Gum disease affects many individuals. If progressed, soft tissue infections can damage essential support systems, such as bone and connective tissues. The bacteria can access the blood stream, allowing it to spread throughout the body, causing preexisting conditions to worsen or creating further health issues.
Although there is no direct correlation between heart disease and gum disease, having one does not necessarily mean you will develop the other, you may still be at risk if oral bacteria enter the blood stream. For those with preexisting heart disease, the development of bacterial endocarditis --- an infection of the heart’s inner lining and valves --- can further weaken tissues. Inflammation, which is a sign of gum disease, is the side effect of the body fighting off infection. However, as inflammation is caused by heightened levels of cholesterol, this can build up in the arteries, resulting in heart problems. It’s important to note that preexisting conditions should be expressed to your dentist so extra care is taken when treating gums.
If you have diabetes, poor blood sugar control creates the right environment for harmful oral bacteria to grow. Combine this with poor oral hygiene where food particles are left between teeth, plaque can form and further increase the likelihood of gum disease. Research has found that gum disease can be more severe and take longer to heal when combined with diabetes, as well as making it hard for you to control your blood glucose levels.
Gum disease-causing bacteria may also have an adverse effect when present in expecting mothers, causing low birth weight in babies. Pregnant women can also develop pregnancy gingivitis, as the increased level of progesterone make it easier for certain gum disease bacteria to grow.
Total Wellness and Dental Issues
Caring for your smile is important but caring for the rest of your body can also promote better health and appearance of your teeth. Maintaining a well-balanced diet, one that minimizes foods and drinks with added sugar, and adding more fruit and vegetables, can improve your oral health. These nutrient dense foods create a scrubbing effect when eaten and help keep teeth healthy and clean.
Patients who use tobacco products may notice that teeth become stained over time and soft tissue takes longer to heal from infection. The use of tobacco products promotes higher risk of periodontal disease, heart disease, stroke, as well as lung cancer. Minimizing or quitting these habits can better ensure oral health and whole body health.
Contact Us Today
At Pacific Dental Associates, we take a multi-disciplinary approach to dentistry, utilizing the skills of every staff and specialist at our Pacific Heights practice. For more information about our periodontal disease treatments, contact us today for a consultation.