How Oral Health Translates to Total Health

How diligent are you with your oral health and hygiene routine? Do you ever have a long day at work and decide that you just don’t feel like brushing your teeth before falling into bed? Or maybe you’re hit or miss about flossing your teeth every time you brush. If this sounds like you, you’re putting your oral health, in addition to your overall health, at risk.

You may not know it, but the mouth is one of the dirtiest parts of the body. For example, the mouth harbors more than 800 kinds of oral bacteria and while not all bacteria are dangerous, some can lead to serious dental problems like periodontitis or gum disease. In addition, not only can gum disease negatively impact your bright smile, it can also lead to potentially dangerous health conditions that will impact your health and quality of life.

Since bacteria can lead to such diverse issues, it’s important to maintain proper oral hygiene routines and get regular check-ups with gum disease specialists, like periodontists. With our team of gum disease experts at the CENTER for Advanced Periodontal & Implant Therapy in Los Angeles, we can effectively treat periodontal diseases caused by oral bacteria, reducing your risk of other health issues.

How Does Oral Bacteria Impact Overall Health?

The bacteria in our mouth are technically germs and, if left untreated, some of them can have negative repercussions in the long term. For example, these germs can penetrate red, swollen gums caused by periodontal disease and travel to the bloodstream, where they can wreak havoc in other areas of the body. Currently, nearly half of all adults in the United States have periodontal disease, while even more have its distant cousin, gingivitis. Even gingivitis, if left untreated, can contribute to cardiovascular disease, especially if you have a genetic predisposition to the disease.

Oral bacteria can have a profound impact on several areas of health and has been linked to specific diseases including:

Cardiovascular disease
Diabetes
Respiratory disease
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Rheumatoid arthritis
Gastrointestinal disorders
Alzheimer’s disease
Osteoporosis
Kidney disease
Preterm birth and low birth weight
Cancer

Because of the wide-ranging reach that oral bacteria and periodontal disease can have on the development of other health conditions, good oral health habits, preventative care, and treatment for gum disease are essential for reducing your risk of developing chronic diseases and maintaining your quality of life.

Healthy Gums = Healthy Life

In order to keep your gums healthy, it’s important to keep track of any changes to the gums. Some of the signs that indicate oral bacteria has progressed into gum disease, which can have varied symptoms and stages, include:

Bleeding when brushing, flossing or eating hard foods
Red and/or swollen gums
Tenderness or pain
Gaps or pulling away of the gums from the teeth
Bad taste or chronic bad breath
Permanent teeth may feel loose
Teeth may fit together differently when closing the mouth or eating
Fit or feel of dentures may begin to feel differently

The best way to fight periodontal disease and the corresponding health issues that have been linked to oral bacteria is to have a good oral hygiene regimen. The first step in having healthy gums and preventing periodontal disease is to remove any plaque build-up. This is accomplished by brushing and flossing your teeth at least twice a day.

The second step is to make sure you see your dentist at least once a year for your regular checkups and cleanings.

The third step is to not hesitate to make an appointment with your periodontist if you are experiencing dental problems. Early prevention and treatment can help prevent further, more complex health issues.

Periodontology Services for Healthy Gums

One of the most effective treatments for removing potentially dangerous oral bacteria is a two-part procedure called periodontal scaling and planing. Periodontal scaling and root planing can help remove all harmful bacteria that may lead to gum disease. This also prevents the further spread of oral bacteria to other parts of the body, where it can cause additional inflammation and harm.

If necessary, our periodontists may recommend microbial sampling, which can be used to identify the specific bacteria present. This helps categorize virus-related periodontal conditions and provides our periodontists with a list of the corresponding medications that can be used to treat them.

Contact L.A.’s Best Gum Experts

Protect your smile and your health! For more information on the effect of oral bacteria on your overall health, contact the CENTER for Advanced Periodontal & Implant Therapy today. Our Los Angeles periodontists are experts in a wide range of state-of-the-art periodontal treatments that can not only restore your smile but also improve your oral health, which can help prevent further health issues associated with oral bacteria.

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