5 Scary Reasons To Pay Attention to Gum Disease

You probably understand that brushing twice a day, flossing daily, and scheduling regular visits to your Chesterfield dentist makes good sense when it comes to your oral health and gum disease prevention. But did you know that having an unhealthy mouth can seriously impact your overall well-being too?

In fact, more and more evidence points toward strong links with a number of serious health conditions. With that in mind, it’s worth taking a look at 5 reasons that will make you never want to miss your appointment with Dr Akinwande, your dentist in Chesterfield.

1. Cardiovascular disease

It seems that people with gum problems are twice as likely to suffer with coronary artery disease when compared to those who have a good gum disease prevention routine in place. One theory as to why this could be, is that the bacteria responsible for gum inflammation can travel to the arteries in the heart and attach to blood vessels. This can cause hardening of arteries, decreasing blood flow and potentially increase your risk of a blood clot. Along with that, it can also cause inflammation of the inner heart lining.

1. Memory problems

There has been research shown to suggest a link between poor oral hygiene and an increased risk of dementia. The experts think that oral bacteria from gum disease may enter into the brain through the cranial nerves and actually contribute to the plaque that’s been linked to Alzheimer’s. We think that’s a good enough reason visit your Chesterfield dentist regularly!

1. Diabetic complications

People who suffer with diabetes are more susceptible to periodontal disease. Not only because diabetics are more vulnerable to infections but research shows that high levels of glucose in the mouth may actually help set the stage for gum disease and make it harder to control your blood sugar. Making sure you have proper dental care is even more important for those with this disease, as treating gum problems could actually help improve diabetes symptoms.

1. Respiratory infections

A warning from ‘The Journal of Periodontology’ is that gum disease could actually increase your risk of respiratory infections such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and pneumonia. The thought is that the infection is caused when bacteria from the mouth is inhaled into your lungs over a long period of time, causing the airways to become inflamed.

1. Fertility issues

Although more research needs to be done, it’s reported that one study found women who had gum disease actually took two months longer to conceive than those without gum problems. The reasons behind this have not yet been established, but one possibility is because gum disease is often a sign of poor general health which may affect fertility.

As you can tell, brushing, flossing, and visiting your Chesterfield dentist goes beyond just keeping your mouth healthy. Gum disease prevention can help to prevent serious illnesses! It’s important that you have good oral hygiene routine and stick to it. Remember to always brush after every meal with a fluoride toothpaste, floss daily, and regularly visit Dr Akinwande, your dentist in Chesterfield. So don’t delay,call us today on (314) 207 0364 to book your appointm