Gum disease is widely known to cause problems beyond aesthetic. In fact, more and more studies keep finding that periodontitis and bacteria that infect the mouth have far wider reaching consequences that spread throughout the body.
Below are a few health conditions that have been shown to be linked to gum disease, which serve as a few more reminders and reasons for everyone to stay on top of their oral health. After all, your oral health in closely linked to your overall health.
Diabetes has an inextricable link to gum disease because patients who have poor blood sugar control are more susceptible to getting diabetes and gum disease. Bacteria in the mouth thrive on sugars, which includes glucose, the sugar primarily linked to diabetes. High levels of glucose and other sugars in the mouth set the stage for diabetes and gum disease.
Inflammation, which is one of the telltale signs of gum disease, can lead to infected pockets in the mouth, which allows for bacteria to spread, one of which is Streptococcus sanguis, which is a bacteria found in periodontal disease and a bacteria that plays a role in heart disease and stroke.
A paper published by peer-reviewed journal Science Advances recently suggested that Alzheimer’s disease could be linked to gum disease and infection. Porphyromonas gingivalis, a bacteria found in periodontal disease, can spread and destroy gum tissue and move on to colonize the brain, increasing the production of amyloid beta, one of the plaques that are associated with Alzheimer’s and dementia.
If you have any questions about gum disease and how to treat it, contact NYC Endodontics today to schedule your consultation. We’ll help you treat any oral health problems you live with now and help you avoid any costlier problems that can occur down the road from neglecting your teeth and gums. We’re now treating patients in New York, NY and its surrounding communities.