April 9, 2018

It’s no secret that parts of the body are connected and work together to keep you healthy. If each organ is working correctly, you stay healthy and happy. Once something breaks down along the path, there can be serious problems with all systems of the body. What you may not know is that the teeth and gums are also linked to the health of your overall body. Treating gum disease early and staying vigilant can keep disease away.

At the beginning, gum disease is referred to as gingivitis and may not do more than cause sensitive, tender, bleeding gums and bad breath every so often. As it progresses and is left untreated, it becomes periodontitis, a serious condition that can lead to lost teeth, loss of gum tissue and inflammation.

The Link

While researchers are confident that gum disease and certain conditions are linked, they have not nailed down a specific way that the two work together. Currently, it is believed that the inflammation caused by gum disease can lead to heart disease, complications of diabetes, cancer, respiratory disease, and osteoporosis.

In some situations, it’s a double-edged sword. For example, diabetes can make it harder to keep gum disease under control, but gum disease can significantly exacerbate the complications of diabetes. This illustrates the fact that every part of the body works together to keep you healthy.

Researchers have studied the occurrence of certain cancers in men, and those with gum disease were 30 percent more likely to develop blood cancer, 54 percent more likely to develop pancreatic cancer and 49 percent more likely to get kidney cancer.

With gum disease comes bone loss in the jaw. This is linked to osteoporosis, which can also contribute to tooth loss when the supporting bone is decreased, leaving no solid foundation for the roots.

Learn More

If you are concerned you have periodontal disease in Waco, TX and want to learn more from a dentist, call (254) 870-9026 or visit us online to schedule an appointment with Dr. Miller at Creekwood Dental Arts today to discuss the best way to protect your mouth from this condition.

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