Mouth - Body Connection

Periodontal disease, also called gum disease, is a contamination of the gums, surrounding tissues, and supporting bone to the teeth. This is caused due to the growth of a yellow, sticky bacterial film on your teeth. The bacteria destroys the roots of the teeth, and this results in tooth loss.

The first stage of periodontal disease is gingivitis. When left untreated for long, it matures into more serious periodontitis. If not treated at the earliest, periodontal disease matures to give rise to multiple problems in the body. 

Causes of Periodontal Disease

The harmless bacteria residing in our mouths form a sticky yellow film of plaque on the teeth. If not removed by regular brushing, the plaque hardens and forms tartar. This bacterial growth spreads to the roots of the teeth and creates gaps between the teeth and gums. The bacteria release toxins that activate the body’s immune system. 

Hormonal changes in women, individuals with a history of gum disease, patients with cancer and AIDS are susceptible to the disease. 

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Periodontal Disease?

The first sign is the presence of a yellow, sticky substance on your teeth. This is not easily removable as it hardens to form tartar. The other signs noticed are:

• Bad taste and breath
• Persistent pain
• Shifting of teeth in the jaw
• Receding gums
• Swollen and red gums that bleed even by the slightest touch

Mouth-Body Connection

Your mouth is the gateway to your body. Bacteria accumulate on the teeth and spread under the gum line, and infect the roots, inflaming them in the process. The toxins released by these bacteria affect and swell other parts of the body traveling through the blood vessels. 

The other health effects due to periodontitis are:

• Diabetes: Inflammation in the mouth weakens the body’s ability to control blood sugar. It impairs the ability to utilize insulin in the body to decrease sugar levels. 
• Heart diseases: Inflammation of the gums, in turn, cause inflammation of the blood vessels, allowing very little blood to travel to the heart or the brain. This significantly increases the chances of a heart attack or stroke. 
• Pregnancy complications: Premature birth of underweight babies with problems including heart and lung conditions.

Treatment of Periodontitis

After getting oral hygiene guidelines, you ought to go through a professional cleaning session to remove the bacterial deposits in the gum pockets. In extreme cases, corrective surgical therapy is used to get rid of the plaque. 

Please reach out to Persimmon Dental Care in Dublin, CA, to have a consultation with our dentists. Please call us at (925) 999-8282 or schedule an online consultation, and we’ll guide you further.