Since you visit two different doctors for your dental and general health, it’s easy to think of your mouth and body as completely separate environments. For example, have you ever considered that poor oral health can contribute to conditions like cardiovascular disease and diabetes? Gum disease can have a particularly profound effect on your overall wellness! To get the full risk assessment, keep reading.
Cardiovascular Disease
Although researchers have found a definitive link between gum disease and cardiovascular disease, they’re not entirely sure how the two are connected. One theory is that periodontal bacteria can enter the bloodstream and inflame blood vessels, creating ripe conditions for a heart attack, stroke, and other similar issues. Regardless, scientific evidence suggests that keeping your mouth clean can help you avoid cardiovascular complications.
Lung Cancer
To be more precise, gum disease can increase your risk of a few different cancers, but researchers saw the most impact among those with lung cancer. According to a Johns Hopkins Medicine study, those with severe gum disease are 24% more likely to develop some form of cancer than those without gum disease.
Diabetes
Gum disease triggers the body’s immune system response, leading to chronic inflammation. Inflammation, in turn, makes blood sugar levels skyrocket. Not only does this put you at risk for diabetes, but it also aggravates existing cases of diabetes. If you tend to have high blood sugar, make sure to brush and floss your teeth on a daily basis to help keep gum disease at bay!
Dementia and Alzheimer’s
Believe it or not, researchers have found a strong connection between the presence of gum disease bacteria and dementia. Thanks to a recent study in 2020, Alzheimer’s can also be added to this statistic. It seems that once these oral bacteria enter the bloodstream, they can travel to the brain and impair vital memory centers.
Gum disease can be a huge problem for both your dental and general health. The good news is that you can significantly reduce your risk of periodontal illness just by visiting your dentist every six months for a checkup and cleaning and by maintaining good oral hygiene habits at home. With some diligence and help from your dentist, you can improve your overall wellness!
About the Practice
Dr. Muyeenul Hassan is our in-house periodontist at Kulick Dental Group. As a certified specialist, Dr. Hassan is well-qualified to help you treat and prevent gum disease. If you have questions about your oral health or suspect you might have a case of gum disease, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team by dialing 954-341-0500 or by requesting an appointment online.