What is Periodontal Disease?
Periodontal disease refers to infections in the structures around your teeth, such as the gums, periodontal ligaments, and alveolar bone. The earliest stage of this disease is gingivitis, an infection of the gums, which is known to be treatable through consistent brushing and flossing. However, if let untreated, periodontal disease can form, affecting all of the areas in the mouth, causing the gums to bleed and decay, exposing the roots of the teeth. Periodontal disease can then result in tooth scaling, root planing, and gum surgery, all treatments which can be easily avoided if you brush twice a day, floss once a day, and use mouthwash.
What Causes Periodontal Disease?
Periodontal disease is caused by a long period of not taking care of your teeth. A lack of brushing, flossing, and using mouthwash over the course of years can result in periodontal disease. Because periodontal disease is the most severe case of gingivitis, dentist and surgeons will have to replace the decaying infected gums, help reestablish the jawline of the mouth, and remove any teeth that have been clinically harmed by the bacteria left in the mouth over long periods of time.
How Is Periodontal Disease Related to Heart Disease?
As more and more research comes out, many scientists and doctors argue that brushing your teeth can lead to better heart health. The link between these two diseases is inflammation or swelling. Inflammation can harden arteries and can cause atherosclerosis making you at a greater risk for a heart attack. Inflammation is also a notable symptom of gum disease. Sore, swollen gums, such as gingivitis, which can cause red, painful gums, and can lead to periodontitis, which leads to large pockets of germ pus. These symptoms can also raise worry for heart problems because that bacteria can spread below the gumline and spread that bacteria into the bloodstream, which leads directly to the heart. While the American Heart Association claims there’s no direct connection of heart disease to gum disease, regular checkups to your dentists can help prevent this disease from becoming a reality.
How Can I Prevent Periodontal Disease?
Regular checkups with your dentist and a steady and consistent oral hygiene routine or brushing, flossing, and using mouth wash are the only ways to prevent periodontal disease. For preventing heart disease, regular exercise, eating healthy foods, and taking vitamin supplements can help decrease the chances of getting both of these diseases, which if not treated, both periodontal disease and heart disease can result in a terrible combination of side effects that will greatly deplete your life.
If you’re worried about the health of your teeth, don’t hesitate to contact Dr. John Batlle at Southwest Family Dentistry. Dr. Batlle’s dentistry, located in Lake City, FL, has everything anyone would ever want from a dentist, which includes the extensive knowledge of technical procedures that results in high-quality care. Go to Southwest Family Dentistry whether you just need a check-up or have a serious problem. If you care about your teeth, schedule an appointment with them by calling their number today.
