Gum disease, or periodontitis, is incredibly common. The prevalence of the condition is alarming for oral health reasons alone, but it is all the more concerning because it can have a dramatic impact on your overall wellness. In fact, gum disease can affect nearly every part of your body, from your teeth to your heart.
Fortunately, at Austin Laser Dentist, Dr. Helen Ragsdale offers periodontal care using state-of-the-art soft tissue lasers. Although there is no cure for gum disease, effective treatment can keep it under control and minimize the effects to the rest of your body. And, of course, routine care can prevent periodontitis from developing in the first place.
To learn more about gum disease or to schedule an appointment, contact Austin Laser Dentist today.
Gum Disease and Your Teeth
The most obvious effect of gum disease is the one it has on your teeth. If you suffer from periodontitis, bacterial pockets build up in your gums, causing them to recede. Eventually, your teeth may loosen and come out altogether. In turn, tooth loss can lead to jawbone recession, which, in a vicious cycle, can lead to further tooth loss.
Periodontitis and Your Cardiovascular Health
Less observable is the effect that gum disease may have on your heart. Individuals with periodontitis are two to three times more likely to suffer from a heart attack or stroke.
Scientists caution that the connection between heart and gum disease is not completely understood. For instance, certain factors, like smoking or a poor diet, can increase the risk for both conditions. But other researchers posit that gum disease itself is a risk for heart disease, due either to bacteria traveling through the bloodstream or to chronic inflammation.
Gum Disease and Diabetes
Gum disease and diabetes have a two-way connection. Chronically elevated blood sugar can increase sugar levels in the mouth, which will raise the risk of gum disease. Conversely, gum disease and the resulting inflammation can make it difficult to keep blood sugar under control.
Periodontitis and Healthy Lungs
Just as bacteria can travel to the heart, they can also travel to the lungs. Plus, you can inhale tiny droplets of saliva that contain oral bacteria. As a result, there is an established connection between gum disease and several respiratory conditions, including COPD, pneumonia, and emphysema.
Gum Disease and Pregnancy
Hormonal changes and a lowered immune response make pregnant women more susceptible to gum disease. Consequently, 60 to 75% of pregnant women have pregnancy gingivitis. Fortunately, gingivitis is the earliest stage of gum disease and can be reversed. If it goes untreated, however, periodontitis may lead to premature delivery and low birth weight.
Periodontitis and COVID-19
Researchers have long known about the links between gum disease and these other conditions. A more recent discovery is the connection between periodontitis and COVID-19. A groundbreaking study in the wake of the global pandemic found that patients with severe gum disease were nearly three times as likely to suffer from serious COVID-19 complications, including death.
Contact Us for Periodontal Care
To learn more about periodontitis or to receive effective, state-of-the-art care, contact Austin Laser Dentist. Book an appointment online or call us at (512) 346-4690.
