Does Gum Disease Affect Your Overall Health?

Have you ever struggled with bleeding gum, sore gum, gum abscess, or bad breath? If so, you know how painful gum disease can be. 

Gum disease affects millions of people worldwide. This number is also increasing every year. While many tend to downplay its effects, a severe gum disease can impact your overall health in the long run. 

A study published in the American Academy of Periodontology shows how oral health can impact your health. Gum disease can lead to serious health complications that no one can think about to link with oral health. Let’s stick to this article to explore how gum disease affects your well-being and the role of periodontal therapy in their prevention.

What is Gum Disease?

Gum disease, or periodontal disease, is bacteria accumulation around gums or teeth. It can cause gum inflammation and infection, which leads to pain and difficulty chewing, eating, or swallowing. 

The first stage of periodontitis is gingivitis. The gum appears red and swollen and might also bleed during brushing or flossing. If left untreated, it can progress to periodontitis. It’s the severe stage of periodontal infection when one might struggle with gum tissue damage, receding gumline, and tooth loss.

How is Gum Disease linked to Your Overall Health?

Since medical science has advanced, multiple studies have shown a strong link between gum disease and various complex health conditions. People can’t even grasp the idea that your heart condition might be caused by your poor oral health. People with periodontal disease are at a higher risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and respiratory infections. The bacteria that causes gum inflammation can enter the bloodstream, and affect your vital organs. It increases the likelihood of suffering from chronic conditions that make you suffer throughout. 

The only solution to prevent a periodontal condition is opting for periodontal therapy.  

How Does Periodontal Therapy Treat Gum Disease? Let’s Shed Light

The best treatment for gingivitis is periodontal therapy. It prevents the gum issues from spreading to other parts of the body. 

While you must follow the standard oral hygiene practices in your daily oral care routine, you must not skip your yearly dental cleaning schedules. As you keep tartar and plaque growth under control, you protect yourself from a range of gum concerns. 

If your gum problems have already reached an advanced state, dental scaling, and root planning are your go-to solutions. These are deep dental cleaning procedures that clean the plaque build-up from your gumline and protect the teeth roots from infection. 

So it’s safe to say periodontal disease is not an isolated dental issue. It affects your entire body and can cause serious health conditions that can cause immense pain and even life risk if left undiagnosed. Periodontal therapy can be an effective way to combat pyorrhea and protect you from tooth loss. 

If you’re experiencing symptoms of gum infection, don’t wait—contact a dentist today and take control of your oral health to prevent severe gingival inflammation.