Why Taking Gum Disease Serious Matters to Your Body

Your oral health is a window into your systemic health in many ways. For instance, many chronic health conditions, including many forms of cancer, can manifest as issues with your oral tissues. By keeping a close eye on your oral health, your dentist may be able to spot signs of other troubles. On the other hand, your mouth could be a literal window for harmful oral bacteria to enter your bloodstream and threaten other tissues throughout your body. Because of this connection, taking gum disease seriously has significant indications for the rest of your wellbeing.

How Gum Disease Acts

Gum disease, or periodontal disease, is a chronic condition that causes your gums and periodontal tissues to swell and pull away from your teeth. The key to gum disease is tissue inflammation. Certain oral bacteria can trick your immune system into unleashing unchecked inflammation on your gums, causing severe damage to the tissues and your jawbone underneath. In time, this damage can lead to the loss of one or more teeth and the need for reconstructive periodontal work before you can replace them.

How It’s a Threat to Your Systemic Health

When damaged gums and oral tissues bleed, oral bacteria can enter your bloodstream and cause the same inflammatory response in other tissues throughout your body. In fact, patients who exhibit chronic periodontal disease are also more likely to develop inflammatory conditions later in life. Because inflammation is a significant risk factor in conditions like heart disease and diabetes, unchecked gum disease can also increase your risks of such issues.

Learn More About the Seriousness of Gum Disease

Preventing, treating, or controlling gum disease is vital to more than just your smile, but also to mitigating your risks of certain chronic health conditions that also involve inflammation. To learn more, or to schedule a consultation, call Gentle Smiles in Dallas, TX, today at 972-329-7645 (972-329-SMILE).