While it may be natural to think first about your teeth when discussing your smile, your gums also play a vital role in your overall health and well-being. These soft oral tissues help hold your pearly whites in place, so if a problem occurs, it can affect all aspects of your dental anatomy, including your teeth and jawbone. Not to mention, gum disease can also affect various parts of your body. If you need some motivation to take proper care of your gums, here are 3 reasons to consider.
Healthy Gums Equal a Healthier Heart
Researchers have linked gum disease to cardiovascular disease due to the increased inflammation throughout the body. When peritonitis remains untreated, infection can enter the bloodstream and travel to the heart, resulting in an increased risk of heart attack or stroke. Taking care of early symptoms of gum disease can help reverse them, reducing your chances of developing serious overall health problems in the future.
Healthy Gums Mean Keeping Your Natural Teeth
When you take proper care of your gums, you are more likely to maintain your natural smile longer. If gum disease progresses and begins to affect the underlying bone, it can cause your teeth to loosen and eventually fall out. This requires artificial replacement, which means regular maintenance and a costly investment. Daily flossing, brushing, and rinsing, along with six-month dental checkups and cleanings, can help catch gingivitis early so your natural teeth stay in place.
Healthy Gums Can Lead to Positive Respiratory Health
Bad bacteria that accumulate in the mouth can spread to areas of the body through the bloodstream. While the heart might be one location it travels to, the lungs are another possibility. Advanced gum disease can lead to pneumonia and other respiratory illnesses if left untreated. This is often due to increased inflammation and breathing in bacteria through the mouth.
Seeking professional treatment for early signs of gum disease can lower your risk and keep you breathing better long-term. It’s also recommended that you quit smoking and stay hydrated, which can lower your risk and keep your gums healthier by reducing bacterial buildup through saliva production.
Don’t let gum disease symptoms go unchecked. Seeing your dentist for regular cleanings and examinations and practicing good dental habits at home can keep your soft tissues healthy and strong, which is exactly what your smile (and body) needs to thrive.
About the Practice
Unsure what to do about your bleeding, inflamed gums? These early signs of gum disease need to be addressed right away to avoid more serious health issues. At Peterson & Cammack Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, we offer gum disease treatment using scaling and root planing and antibiotic therapy. We’ll help improve your gums so you can continue to enjoy better oral and overall health. Visit our website or call (360) 459-4420 to schedule an appointment if you want to address your symptoms.