Are you suffering from gum problems? Well, the color and cleanliness of teeth are the top priority and so, gum disease is often not taken into consideration. Do you know that the health of your gums has an impact on your overall condition? Unlike it is important to maintain strong and healthy teeth for your attractive smile, so you should take proper care of the overall health of gums. Read further to know how gum disease can affect your overall health.
The function of the gums
Your gums are made to keep the teeth protected and prevent diseases from developing in the mouth. The gums comprise of a soft skin that covers the bones of your teeth and mouth. This tissue usually creates a tight seal around the teeth to provide obstruction against bacteria and keep them in place.
Without taking proper care of gums, the food particles and bacteria may find their way in and around the teeth thus, causing gum disease.
How gum disease affects your health condition
The mouth is full of bacteria though you clean your teeth and gums regularly. It is important to maintain the health of gums and keep the proper balance of bacteria in the mouth to delay periodontal disease.
There arises an important question, “What causes periodontal disease?” This usually takes place due to the build-up of pathogenic bacteria in the gums. Other than this, is the response of the body to bacteria that leads to gum inflammation thus, causing damage to the gum tissue.
How gum disease has an impact on your physical health
The effects of periodontal disease may range from mild to severe with other infections in your body.
Periodontal disease may lead to swelling and redness of the gums, also called gingivitis or severe destruction of the bone structure and teeth.
The damage of your tooth’s bone structure may cause tooth loss and spread of bacteria throughout the body.
People who have periodontal disease are at greater risk of developing these conditions:
- Cardiovascular disease
- Chronic respiratory disease
- Diabetes
- Dementia
- Pregnancy complications
The close connection between these conditions and periodontal disease is inflammation that has a vital role in the cause and effect of this disease. If plaque is not removed properly from the teeth and gums, then this might release toxins that work to inflame gums. This leads to gingivitis, which may progress into a serious condition like periodontal disease.
Common symptoms of gingivitis are – red and swollen gums, bleeding at the time of brushing or eating. When gingivitis progresses ahead to periodontal disease, the gums start pulling away from the teeth thus, causing the teeth to become loose and fall out in due course.
Without proper treatment, periodontal disease works to destroy gum structure slowly and support the bones of your teeth.
How to prevent the onset of periodontal disease
Brush and floss daily –
You should brush your teeth two times in a day and floss daily to remove food particles stuck in between the teeth. If you have dental implants, bridges or mouth plates, try using an interdental brush for proper cleaning of your mouth.
Quit the habit of smoking –
If you are addicted to smoking, then this will cause stains and discolorations to your teeth and have bad impact on the gums. Tobacco slows down the healing process of soft tissue that leads to mouth dryness. Smokers have greater chances of suffering from gum disease, tooth decay, and mouth cancer. If you lit cigarettes, quit it to improve your oral health.
Take a well-balanced diet –
You should take a healthy diet which is good for your dental health and overall well-being. A well-balanced diet is the one that contains vegetables, fruits, healthy oils, fats, fatty fish, nuts, legumes, and sufficient water. According to research, a diet that has a high amount of omega-3 fats help to lessen the symptoms of periodontal disease and prevent further infection.
Do not skip your regular dental checkups –
It is essential to go for routine dental checkups once in every 6 months to keep your teeth and gums strong and healthy. During the check-up, your Croydon dentist removes plaque and bacteria in the mouth and advise the right treatment to avoid periodontal disease.
Know the signs of developing periodontal disease –
It is important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of periodontal disease and gingivitis. If you have red, swollen and sensitive gums of the gums bleed at the time of brushing or flossing, then you must see a dentist soon. Other signs of the disease include – receding gums, spaces in between the teeth, pockets of pus, improperly-fitted dentures and bridges.
You may contact the best-rated dentist in Croydon who takes proper care of your gum health. Thus, whether you need to visit the clinic for a routine check-up, getting your teeth whitened or perform Invisalign, you can be assured of getting quality dental treatments for your need.
