How Gum Health Affects Your Overall Health
There is more to taking care of our oral hygiene than just having white and shiny teeth. Gum health plays a crucial role in not only maintaining healthy gums but also ensuring that our overall health is not compromised. Poor gum health puts us at risk for numerous health complications such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, respiratory issues, dementia, and several others.
How does gum disease occur?
Gum disease occurs when plaque-containing bacteria on teeth build up around the gum line infecting the tissues that support them. When left untreated, it advances to periodontitis(1) which damages bones and tissues supporting teeth leading to their loss.
The relationship between gum health and overall wellbeing
Research over the years has established a link between gum disease and other widespread diseases in different parts of the body. The diseases include:
Heart Disease
Poor oral hygiene causes bacterial buildup in your mouth which enters into your bloodstream through inflamed gums causing inflammation throughout your body – contributing significantly to conditions like cardiovascular diseases.
Diabetes
The relationship between poor dental hygiene and diabetes goes both ways; people with diabetes are vulnerable to infections. High blood sugar levels damage blood vessels making them thick and hard leading to an improperly functioning immune system – leaving diabetics more susceptible to developing periodontal disease than the average person.
Respiratory Issues
Gum infection exacerbates sinusitis since bacteria originating from areas infected with periodontal disease can travel within the body leading to lung infections or worsened chronic respiratory diseases including asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Dementia
A recent study found a potential link between gum disease and Alzheimer’s disease. This is speculated to be due to the bacteria in oral plaque that travel through your body and causes inflammation throughout, negatively affecting areas of the brain related to memory retention.
How to Maintain Gum Health
To keep your gum and teeth healthy we recommend you follow these four steps:
- Brushing twice daily for at least 2 minutes using fluoride-compatible toothpaste (Colgate Cavity Protection Toothpaste with Fluoride)
- Flossing daily, Waterpik (Waterpik Cordless Advanced Water Flosser For Teeth) is an excellent alternative.
- Rinsing using mouthwash (Listerine Total Care Anticavity Fluoride Mouthwash)
- Scheduling regular dental checkups which ensures early detection of oral problems
Conclusion
Ignoring our gum health can prove costly in the long run. Simple hygiene practices such as brushing twice daily, flossing daily, rinsing with mouthwash, and regular dental visits can not be underestimated as they play a crucial role in maintaining optimal overall health. Diseased gum tissue promotes severe infections that could weaken the body’s immune system causing other parts of the body to become vulnerable to infections. By observing proper gum health practices, we can prevent having difficulties with teeth or losing them plus protect ourselves from various conditions associated with poor gum health.
Products mentioned:
- Colgate Cavity Protection Toothpaste with Fluoride
- Waterpik Cordless Advanced Water Flosser For Teeth
- Listerine Total Care Anticavity Fluoride Mouthwash
