Does Gum Disease Cause Heart Disease???
According to the American Dental Association,
research shows that there might be a connection between gum disease and other
health problems. Evidence indicates, for
example, that bacteria in the mouth which cause gum disease may also be linked
to heart disease, artery blockages and stroke.
Gum disease (or periodontal disease) usually is present without causing
pain.
Other research suggests that
mouth bacteria can be a contributing factor in bacterial pneumonia and can
cause pre-term delivery for pregnant women increasing the risk of low-birth
weight babies. Studies show that people
with diabetes often have periodontal disease, making it more difficult for them
to control their blood sugar. It has
even been shown that if periodontal disease is treated in diabetics, their
sugar control can improve.
Gum disease is an infection
of the gums that can destroy bone and other tissues that support the
teeth. This disease develops when a
sticky film of bacteria, called plaque, builds up on the teeth. Plaque constantly forms on the teeth, but
with proper cleaning, most plaque can be removed before the gums are damaged.
The most effective way to
fight gum disease is to brush and floss daily.
Without proper cleaning of the teeth, plaque will harden into tartar or
calculus. Plaque can build up more
easily on the rough surface of the calculus, making it more difficult for you
to keep your teeth clean.
The early stage of gum
disease is known as gingivitis. It is
characterized by red or swollen gums which might even bleed. Over time, your gums can separate from your
teeth and deep spaces called pockets can form.
Bacteria can collect in these pockets and their toxic wastes can further
inflame the gums. If the disease is left
untreated, the inflammation can destroy the bone that anchors your teeth. Your teeth may eventually become loose and
either fall out or have to be removed by a dentist.
The key to gum disease is
prevention. You need to brush your teeth
thoroughly twice per day. Use baking
soda, or toothpaste with baking soda; this helps to suppress bacteria and
neutralize their acidic excretions.
Brushing daily removes plaque from the inner, outer, and chewing
surfaces of the teeth before it can harden into calculus. Cleaning between your teeth with floss is
also important in preventing gum disease.
Plaque can build up in the spaces between your teeth where you
toothbrush cannot reach.
Professional cleanings are
the only way to remove calculus, which traps plaque bacteria along the gum
line. The dentist might suggest
additional treatment or more frequent professional cleanings depending upon the
condition of your gums. Non-surgical
methods of controlling gum disease are found to be very effective in many
dental clinics.
Given the potential links between the bacteria that cause gum disease and other diseases of the body, prevention of periodontal disease is an important step in maintaining overall health.
Charles E. Warlick, Jr., D.D.S.
Dr. Warlick has been practicing dentistry in Wimberley for 21
years. He is Managing Director for the
c: Hill Country Sun – Gum Disease