Five Effects of Gum Disease
On Your Health
For most people, healthy teeth and gums are an essential part of a winning smile. Taking good care of them can make all the difference in your interactions with others. However, there's more going on inside your mouth than you may be aware of. No matter how often you brush, dangerous bacteria continue to thrive in that environment. If you're not careful, poor oral hygiene can actually kill you. Here are five effects of gum disease on your health.
Heart Disease
Although researchers don't know exactly why, studies show that having gum disease (also called "periodontal disease") nearly doubles your chances for developing coronary heart disease (CHD). One possible theory is that bacteria from the mouth is able to enter the bloodstream, attaching itself to plaque in the heart's blood vessels. This would lead to inflammation, increasing the risk for dangerous clots that could trigger heart attacks.
Dementia
Other research has indicated that there may also be a link between poor oral hygiene and a higher risk of dementia. One study followed a group of nuns between 75 and 98 years of age and concluded that the ones most likely to suffer from dementia were the ones who were missing the most teeth. Researchers suspect that bacteria from the mouth reaches the brain through either the bloodstream or the cranial nerves around the jaw.
Diabetes
Although it's been long known that people with diabetes are at greater risk for gum disease, researchers from Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health discovered that the gum disease may actually come before diabetes. They studied 9,000 people who did not have diabetes at first, of which 817 would go on to develop it. Of the group they studied, those with advanced periodontal disease were twice as likely to develop diabetes within 20 years. Even when considering other factors (such as obesity, diet and smoking), the results were consistent.
Respiratory Problems
According to the results of a study published in the Journal of Periodontology, gum disease may lead to an increased risk for respiratory infections, including pneumonia and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The study involved 200 people between 20 and 60 years of age, all with at least 20 remaining teeth. Half of them had respiratory diseases and the rest were healthy. Those with respiratory issues had worse problems with their gums than the others, suggesting that the two conditions were linked. Experts believe that bacteria from the mouth is inhaled into the respiratory tract, causing inflammation of the airways.
Infertility
Research conducted in Australia suggests that periodontal disease may affect fertility. Of the women who were studied, those with gum disease took over seven months to conceive, compared to around five months in the others. Experts believe that inflammation is the underlying cause, setting off a series of damaging reactions in the body. Additional studies suggest that pregnant women with periodontal problems may also be at higher risk for miscarriage.
The best way to avoid these problems is to take good care of your teeth and gums. Get your teeth checked regularly by a dentist and verify that you're brushing correctly. Remember that rinsing with mouthwash can cut your risk of gum disease by up to 60 percent. If you're doing everything right, you shouldn't experience any bleeding or pain when flossing.
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