Why Gum Health is Critical for Your Overall Well Being
When thinking about oral health, what is the main focus? For most people, the straight answer is teeth. Maintaining strong and healthy teeth is critical, but overall dental health touches on more aspects, jaw and gums included. The gum, especially, carries more weight, and not just because it holds the teeth in place. If you suspect you have a problem seeking immediate gum treatments Campbell is advised. This will help stop the problem from escalating. At an early stage, gum disease (gingivitis) can be treated, and the impacts reversed. This is more challenging if it escalates to periodontitis. But why is gum health so important? Below is a glance at gum’s health impact on your overall wellness.
Increase Heart Disease Risk
Did you know that gum disease increases cardiovascular disease risk? Your mouth is loaded with bacteria. When suffering from gum disease, such bacteria can enter the bloodstream and flow to your heart. The bacteria buildup causes serious heart concerns, more notably by infecting the vulnerable valves. When heart valves are infected, circulation is impacted, leading to severe heart conditions.
Heart health is crucial for your wellness since the muscle works tirelessly to circulate blood loaded with nutrients needed for organs’ functionalities. Preventing and treating gum disease is critical as you strive to lead a longer, healthier, and more active life.
High Diabetes Risk
Gum disease is characterized by inflammation. Gum inflammation may only seem to affect your mouth. However, any inflammation in your body leads to high blood glucose levels. Inflammation affects the cells, making them more insulin resistant, hence the increased blood sugar levels. This puts you at an increasingly high risk of developing diabetes.
The chronically elevated blood glucose levels further expose you to more concerns, including an increased risk of hypertension. This is due to damage caused to arteries, leading to their hardening, a condition referred to as atherosclerosis.
Tooth Loss
Your teeth can not stay in place without the gum’s support. Besides the support, the gums also protect sensitive tissues. This is why your teeth become more sensitive when gums recede. As gum disease worsens, the bacterial infection spreads. Gum erosion progresses, which exposes the teeth and sensitive tissues, increasing the risk of cavities, decay, and tooth loss.
Losing a tooth impacts your dental health and functionality. The pocket left creates a perfect room for plaque accumulation, further increasing the risk of worsening gum disease. The gap also means the jawbone does not get the required stimulation to remain healthy. You end up with an unhealthy jaw, bite, and chewing problems, and besides the impact on the smile, the facial structure takes a blow.
Gum disease is associated with more health concerns, including poor memory, preterm birth, and low birth weight. Keeping your gums healthy through proper hygiene and routine dental visits can’t be emphasized enough. Healthy gums make it easier to maintain a dazzling smile, eliminate bad breath, and improve your confidence and overall wellness. Call or visit Ueno Center Dental Specialists today for more on gum disease and all your oral health-related concerns.
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