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How Gum Disease Affects Your Health

How does gum disease affect your health? Gum disease is now more prevalent than diabetes, affecting an estimated half of all American adults. In fact, gum disease is nearly as common as the common cold! Despite this, some 1 in 3 Americans will neglect to visit their dentist this year.

At the CENTER for Advanced Periodontal & Implant Therapy in Brentwood, periodontists Dr. Alexandre-Amir Aalam and Dr. Alina Krivitsky are dedicated to helping patients keep their teeth and gums healthy and free of gum disease.

You may already know that gum disease, also known as gingivitis, can cause bleeding gums and a sore mouth. But did you know that gum disease can affect your overall health, not just your oral health?

Gum Disease Causes Tooth Loss and Bone Loss

Your gums provide a foundation for your teeth. Initially, a mild case of gingivitis may cause nothing more than a bit of bleeding, tenderness, and persistent bad breath. Left untreated, however, gingivitis may progress to periodontitis. Periodontitis destroys your gums and even the underlying bone. Consequently, your teeth may become loose and require removal.

Loose or missing teeth may make you feel self-conscious about your smile, but bone less may be even more detrimental to your self-confidence. Bone loss changes the appearance of your face, making it appear sunken, aged, wrinkly, and overall less voluminous. Avoiding periodontal disease will help you look healthy well into your golden years.

Gum Inflammation: Possible Links to Heart Disease, Diabetes

In recent years, studies have linked gum disease to higher rates of everything from heart disease and diabetes to Alzheimer’s, dementia, and even erectile dysfunction. Of course, correlation does not necessarily equal causation; there is no definitive proof that gum disease causes any of these ailments. However, many researchers hypothesize that inflammation caused by periodontitis may be partly to blame for the overall poorer health of patients who suffer from gum disease.

Gingival (gum) inflammation is our immune system’s response to the bacteria that causes gingivitis and periodontitis. Chronic inflammation from bacterial plaque is taxing on your body and immune system. To prevent build-up of harmful bacterial plaque, brush and floss regularly, and visit your periodontist for deeper cleanings. Dr. Aalam and Dr. Krivitsky can perform root scaling and planing in Brentwood to treat mild gum disease before it advances to periodontitis.

Classic Symptoms of Gum Disease

Here is a list of classic symptoms of gum disease:

1. Red, tender gums
2. Bleeding gums after brushing or flossing
3. Gum recession
4. Loose or missing teeth
5. Mouth sores
6. Persistent bad breath
7. Sore mouth or mouth discomfort

If you suffer from any of these symptoms, you should call your periodontist immediately for a check-up.

Schedule a Brentwood Gum Disease Consultation Today!

If you suspect that you may be suffering from gum disease, don’t hesitate to contact the CENTER for Advanced Periodontal & Implant Therapy to schedule a consultation with periodontal specialists Dr. Aalam and Dr. Krivitsky! Call the gum disease experts in Brentwood today!

Next, read more about 3 Ways Oral Health Affects Overall Health.

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