Do you think that you should worry about Gum Disease and other oral health issues? Do you think you are too young to care about your oral health? Let's face it, we are all living longer and longer lives. But we don't have to live life with bad oral hygiene habits and without care. We are a busy society, and we can't always find the time to brush our teeth and floss. It can be difficult to keep up with our regular dental checkups. Most Americans only get their teeth checked once every 3 years. It is not enough. Read my review on natures smile
If you want to be healthy and maintain good oral hygiene, you need to regularly check your teeth and gums. The majority of people also understand that brushing and using interdental cleaning (interdental brushes/floss) at least twice a day is recommended to keep their mouth and teeth healthy, as is avoiding cavity-causing foods (such as sugary treats), quitting smoking, and visiting their dentist regularly (we recommend at least every 6 months). There are, however, numerous other reasons to look after your teeth and gums that many people are unaware of.
In this blog, we'll look at gum disease, the most common result of poor oral hygiene. We'll look at what it is and how it can affect your overall health if it becomes established. This article will help you understand the importance of your oral health.
Overview
The mouth is the body's entry point, but it's not just good stuff like food and water that can pass from the mouth into (and around) the body: it's also bad stuff!

To comprehend how the mouth can affect the body, it is necessary to first comprehend what can go wrong. Poor dental and oral hygiene can cause bacteria (dental plaque) to build up on teeth and beneath the gum line, putting the gums at risk of infection. The immune system attacks the infection, causing the gums to swell and become inflamed. Unless the infection is treated, the inflammation will continue. Inflammation and its chemicals erode the gums and bone structure that hold teeth in place over time. Periodontal disease, or severe gum disease, is the result.
Gum disease can be particularly bad for your social life as you deal with unpleasant Halitosis (bad breath) caused by small food particles becoming wedged between the teeth, collecting bacteria and emitting chemicals such as sulfides (volatile Sulfur compounds are the compounds that give rotten eggs their repulsive, characteristic smell). Still, it can also cause some serious problems in the rest of your body, which we will discuss shortly. Let's start with some of the symptoms of gum disease, so you know what to look for.
Gum Disease Symptoms
The worst part about gum recession is that it usually goes unnoticed (often known as the silent killer of teeth). Gum disease symptoms include:
- Bleeding gums
- Shrinks of gums
- Loose teeth
- Changes in the spaces between the teeth overtime
- Bad taste in the mouth
- Bad breath
- Tooth loss
- swollen gums
Patients frequently lack any of these warning signs, and it is usually too late by the time they do. As a result, it is critical to take responsibility for noticing the signs and seeing your dentist regularly to detect them early and refer you to a periodontist.
Effects Of Gum Disease On The Body
Good dental hygiene is important for more than just your teeth, gums, and breath. Bacteria that start in the mouth can spread throughout the body, causing a variety of serious health issues that you may not be aware of:
Heart disease and stroke risk

As a result of bacteria entering the bloodstream through the gums, people with gum disease are twice as likely to develop heart disease and artery constriction. Gum disease bacteria may promote clotting, which can clog arteries and increase the risk of a heart attack.
Furthermore, clogging the carotid artery – the blood vessel that delivers blood to the brain and head – with disease-causing bacteria from the mouth could increase the risk of a stroke.
Increased risk of dementia
People with gum disease are twice as likely to develop heart disease and arterial narrowing due to bacteria entering their bloodstream through their gums. Gum disease bacteria may promote clotting, which can clog arteries and increase the risk of a heart attack.
Furthermore, clogging the carotid artery – the blood vessel that delivers blood to the brain and head – with disease-causing bacteria from the mouth could increase the risk of a stroke.
Respiratory problems
Bacteria from the mouth can be inhaled or carried to the lungs via the bloodstream, causing respiratory problems. A landmark UK study (Sachdev M et al., 2013) discovered a link between dental plaque bacteria and those found in the lungs, leading to an increased risk of pneumonia. “By working with your periodontist, you may be able to prevent or slow the progression of harmful diseases like pneumonia or COPD,” says Dr. Chemm, Past President of the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP).
Diabetes
Diabetes patients are more likely to have advanced periodontal disease. A third of diabetics with advanced gum disease lose teeth due to the disease's aggressiveness. This is likely due to the negative effects of diabetes on blood vessels and white blood cells, which make people with diabetes more susceptible to infection (responsible for fighting infection).

Gum disease and diabetes have a two-way relationship. In addition to having a higher risk of gum disease due to diabetes, periodontal disease can make it more difficult to control blood sugar, putting patients at a higher risk of diabetes and its complications.
Erectile dysfunction
Men with periodontal disease are seven times more likely than men with good dental hygiene to have erectile dysfunction. Periodontal bacteria can travel through the bloodstream, causing inflammation and preventing blood flow to the genitals.
Risk of premature birth
Premature babies face many medical issues, including breathing problems and infections, and a mother's dental and oral health can impact this link. One of the main causes of preterm birth, according to doctors, is an infection in the mother's body. The mouth is a common site of infection.
In addition to brushing and flossing, a study published in the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology found a link between good oral health and a lower premature birth rate in pregnant women.The theory is that good oral hygiene can reduce the inflammation caused by gum disease.
Cancer
Researchers discovered that men with gum disease had a greater than 30% chance of developing kidney cancer, pancreatic cancer, and blood cancers.
Regular dental visits to your dentist or other oral health care professionals can also aid in the early detection of oral cancers.
Furthermore, according to a survey conducted by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, smokers are (on average) less likely to visit the dentist. They are at the highest risk of developing such cancers.
How To Keep Your Mouth, Gums And Teeth Healthy

- Brush your teeth with a fluoride toothpaste at least twice a day to prevent gum disease.
- Use floss or interdental brushes to clean between your teeth at least once a day to get a healthy smile.
- Tobacco should not be smoked or chewed.
- Check with your dentist or periodontist to see if your medication has any potential side effects that could harm your gums (for example, some medicines may cause drying of the mouth).
- Look inside your mouth for sores that don't heal, irritated gums, or other changes regularly.
- See your dentist regularly for healthy gums.
- Consult your dentist or periodontist right away if you have any problems with your teeth or have any concerns about your mouth. We are experts in gum treatment at Gentle Dental Care and would be delighted to assist you.
Conclusion
In conclusion, gum disease causes tooth loss, bone loss, diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. Periodontal disease has been linked to other serious medical conditions, including Alzheimer's and cancer. The good news is that gum disease can be reversed. By taking care of your mouth, you can stop it from causing you to suffer from so many other health problems. It includes the need to make an appointment at the dentist as soon as you realize you're experiencing periodontal disease symptoms.
If You Want To Know The Effects Of Gum Disease On Your Body And Overall Health, Read This Article Now.