Many people assume the health of your mouth doesn’t have much effect on the rest of your body. Cavities and gum disease can seem like small, localized problems, and trips to the dentist are considered separate from general healthcare by insurance companies. However, gum disease can have significant effects on your full-body health. While the reasons why are not fully understood, people with gum disease have at least twice the risk of developing heart disease as those without it.

A Foothold for Bacteria

Gum disease, or periodontal disease, begins with inadequate dental care. Plaque, the sticky film of bacteria which forms on your teeth, must be disrupted regularly by brushing and flossing, or it will harden into tartar, which can only be removed by your dentist. Tartar along the gumline causes swelling and irritation, and eventually the gum pulls away from the area. This allows plaque and tartar to creep further and further down under the gumline and along the tooth root, creating pockets where bacteria multiply out of control and are difficult to remove.

The Source of Inflammation

It’s suspected that the real problems begin when bacteria from gum disease enters the bloodstream and travels to other parts of the body. Just as bacteria causes your gums to swell, it can also cause swelling in other areas, such as the walls of veins. This obstructs bloodflow in almost the same way cholesterol buildup does, causing the same problems to the heart and circulatory system. Bacteria from dental plaque can also live inside arterial plaque and may worsen the problems it causes.

To get the dental care you need to keep your gum health from affecting your full body health, make an appointment with Schaible Dental Group in Saint Louis and Saint Peters, MO. With 30 years of experience, their skilled dentists serve patients throughout St. Louis and St. Charles counties with everything from preventative and restorative care to cosmetic options like teeth whitening. To schedule a visit to discuss gum health, call (636) 279-1633 or get in touch online.