Health Connections

When we recommend visiting the dentist every three, four or six months, it isn’t just to maintain your oral health but your overall health as well. Poor dental hygiene or medical conditions can deteriorate your teeth and gums, but the problems don’t stop at your mouth. Gum disease has been linked to serious illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. Before you skip brushing and flossing your teeth tonight before bed, consider the connections between your gums and the following health issues:

Heart Disease

Both the American Dental Association and American Heart Association recognize that gum disease may increase the risk of heart disease. Left untreated, bacteria on the teeth can cause inflammation of the gums, which can also contribute to atherosclerosis, an inflammatory disease of the arteries. Reducing chronic inflammation is important to your overall health.

Diabetes

While people with diabetes are more likely to have gum disease because they are at higher risk of infection, gum disease also makes it more difficult for diabetes patients to control their blood sugar. In fact, severe gum disease can actually increase blood sugar. This means that people already at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes have a greater chance of contracting it, and those who have Type 2 diabetes will have a harder time controlling it if they have gum disease.

Stroke

Again, the link between gum disease and a higher risk of stroke has to do with inflammation. Inflammation can cause a hardening of the blood vessels, and if that happens in the brain or neck, it can result in stroke.

Aesthetic Smile Design and Dr. Gary Edeer want to make sure that patients in Wayne, NJ and the surrounding area receive great dental and gum care so they can avoid health conditions such as these. Please call our office at 973-363-3190 and book an appointment to make sure your oral health is in check.