Not many people are aware that proper oral hygiene supports the health of the entire body. Unfortunately, there’s a downside to this, as poor dental care may likewise negatively affect systemic health. This is largely because gum disease affects more than just your gums, especially when it’s advanced to periodontitis. Since an infection is involved with advanced gum issues, some of the potential complications are extremely serious. Here’s a closer look at how taking care of your gums will make all your medical providers happy. 

What Are the Health Risks Associated With Gum Disease?

Heart & Lung Disease

Gum disease is defined by an infection that causes the gums to swell, recede, and sometimes bleed. These issues make it easier for harmful bacteria to enter your bloodstream through the weakened gums and travel to other parts of your body, such as your heart and lungs, making gum disease a contributing factor to swelling and the development of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.

Dental plaque may also thicken your blood, potentially plugging or inflaming veins that lead to your brain and causing a stroke or aneurysm. 

Cancer

Although there’s no reliable explanation for it yet, there’s also evidence showing that people with gum disease are often more likely to develop cancer in the breasts, lungs, colon, and gallbladder. It’s possible that when bacteria take advantage of poor oral hygiene and gum disease to infect and inflame other parts of the body, it sets the stage for cancer to grow.

Diabetes

Additionally, since gum disease often results from bacteria infecting the teeth and gums with an acid that they produce from sugar, gum disease can adversely affect your glucose levels. For that reason, people with diabetes are more vulnerable to gum disease and may find their condition worsens when they have it, while those without diabetes are more likely to develop periodontitis.

Other Complications

If left untreated by a dentist and improvement in oral hygiene, the early stage of gingivitis progresses to periodontitis, which destroys tissue in your jawbone, often causing teeth to fall out in addition to increasing the likelihood that you’ll develop osteoporosis.

Missing teeth also create more pathways for bacteria to access the rest of your body, weakening your immune system and causing more infections. Bite misalignment also makes chewing and digesting food more difficult. This damages your metabolism and digestive tract. Furthermore, you may grind your teeth and become prone to sleep apnea, both of which further exacerbate these issues. 

For professional advice on how proactive oral hygiene and a routine checkup at the dentist can prevent gum disease, contact JP Larson, DDS, and Stephen J. Larson, DDS in Cincinnati, OH. With extensive experience in combining high-quality dental care with affordability, they use only the most state-of-the-art equipment to provide the treatments and exams you need in a comfortable, friendly environment. To make an appointment that will work with your busy schedule, call them today at (513) 528-1223 or message them online.