Visits to the dentist affect more than just your smile. Your mouth is part of your body, after all, and certain health conditions that affect it may also have an impact on the rest of you. This is especially true for gum disease, which creates serious health risks in its advanced stages and may worsen in response to other health conditions. Here's what your dentist wants you to know about how periodontitis interacts with the rest of your body.

3 Ways Gum Disease Impacts Systemic Health

1. Cardiovascular Health

The bacteria responsible for gum disease cause swelling in your mouth. It's possible that these same bacteria can also induce the same effect throughout the body, causing systemic cardiovascular disease.

This can include hardened arteries as well as a greater risk of heart disease, stroke, and aneurysms. Cardiovascular disease, in turn, is a predictor for gum disease, possibly because of its effects on circulation that can slow healing in the mouth.

2. Diabetes

If you have diabetes, you're more likely to have poor gum circulation and sugary saliva, both of which contribute to tooth decay and gum disease. Meanwhile, periodontitis can make it more difficult to regulate your blood sugar. All of the long-term effects of elevated blood sugar are more likely and more severe if you have both diabetes and gum disease. 

3. Cancer

It's estimated that there will be over 42,000 deaths from breast cancer this year. A 2015 study examined several risk factors for breast cancer in postmenopausal women. They found that periodontal disease by itself raised the risk by roughly 14%. The effect is even more dramatic in women who also smoke or have smoked in the last 20 years.

Strategic teeth cleaning services can treat your periodontal disease and protect your health. If you need an appointment with a dentist, contact Main Street Dental in La Crosse, WI. This family-oriented dentist has over 30 years of experience and uses state-of-the-art treatment to help keep your mouth healthy. Call (608) 784-4063 to schedule a convenient visit or stop by the website to learn more about the dentist.