Your body is an intricately balanced ecosystem of interconnected parts and every one of those parts plays an essential role in the preservation of the whole. So if something goes wrong in one part of your body, it has consequences felt throughout the entire body. No other bodily system exemplifies this idea better than the mouth, which acts as a window into the general health of the entire body. Dental professionals have named this holistic approach the mouth-body connection.
Gum Disease: An Inflammatory Condition
Periodontitis, or advanced gum disease, impacts approximately 75% of the American population. Causes for the disease include the use of tobacco products, stress, certain medications, and even hormonal and genetic factors. As gum disease worsens, your body tries to fight off the infection by producing an inflammatory response which causes the gums to become red, swollen, and sore. If left untreated by a dental professional, the inflammation could spread to the jawbone, weakening tooth roots, and causing tooth loss.
Gum Disease and the Health of the Whole Body
Emerging research from the American Academy of Periodontology suggests that your oral health provides a reliable indication of your general health and scientists have effectively established a link between periodontal disease and other inflammatory disorders in the body. This means that if you suffer from gum disease you may also suffer from health problems such as heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, and kidney disease as you age.
Ensuring Your Lifelong Health
The power to maintain optimum oral health – and thereby maintain the health of the whole body – is in your hands. Establish a consistent and thorough at-home dental hygiene regimen. This includes brushing in the morning and evening, flossing once a day, and using an antiseptic mouthwash in the evenings. Look for changes you can make in your diet. Incorporate nutritious, anti-inflammatory foods into your diet and eliminate foods such as white sugar, refined flour, and excess salt. Moreover, visit your dentist on a regular basis for routine checkups and cleanings. After a routine dental hygiene visit it takes the bacteria approximately three months to repopulate pockets around teeth to a level where they are destructive to bone and supporting structures. This is why a professional cleaning every three months is one of the best things you can do for yourself.
Schedule an Appointment
Concerned you may be suffering from gum disease? We encourage you to schedule an appointment with Dr. Abel by calling our Mount Kisco NY dentist office at (914) 241-2242. We serve Mount Kisco, NY and surrounding areas.
