Keeping your gums healthy is an important part of keeping your teeth. If your gum disease goes untreated, you will experience loose teeth, bad breath, and problems with your jaw. However, gum disease can lead to medical problems with other parts of your body. The primary cause of gum disease is the build-up of plaque on your teeth. If that plaque is not removed by brushing and flossing, or by your dentist, your gums will swell. That will allow more plaque to form below your gumlines, which will then permit bacteria to enter your body.
If you continue to breathe in the bacteria from gum disease over time, the result could be a respiratory infection. Gum disease could also lead to heart disease. The bacteria from your gums can find its way into your bloodstream, which can contribute a hardening of your arteries which is called atherosclerosis. This can lead to an acuumulation of plaque on the walls of your arteries, which can cause a stroke or a heart attack. Or the infection could inflame the walls of your heart.
If you live with diabetes, your need to make sure that you work closely with your dentist to prevent gum disease. Gum disease can make it harder for you to control your blood sugar, and worsen your symptoms.
Finally, the bacteria can also work its way into your nervous system. The end result could be dementia, and possibly even Alzheimer’s.
To prevent gum disease, you should brush your teeth at least twice a day, floss once a day, and see your dentist for your routine cleanings and examinations. If you experinece the symptoms of gum disease, which include tender, swollen bleeding gums, gums that are red in color, or loose teeth or chronic bad breath, you need to vist with our dentist, Dr. Timothy Dinkelman. To make an appointment at Northridge Dental LLC in Lincoln, Nebraska, call 402-477-1177 today.