Beyond Teeth: Gum Health Crucial For Overall Health
Written by Brian Dean MS, RD, 2010-07-01Last update: 2010-07-01
Many scientists now consider your mouth a window into your health. While teeth are the most visible part of the mouth, gums tend to be a more precise indicator of health. That’s because gum disease, known as periodontal disease, is now linked to a number of health conditions –many of which are nowhere near the mouth.
What Is Periodontal Disease?
You’ve probably heard of periodontal disease as gum disease or gingivitis. Periodontal disease is excessive inflammation in the gums that ultimately degrade surrounding tissue. In the long term, gum disease can cause excessive pain, tooth loss, and jaw bone damage. However, scientists now see periodontal disease as a warning sign, or maybe even a contributor of, chronic disease.
Periodontal Disease = Chronic Disease?
Even though the link between oral health and general health as long been established, in the last decade or so scientists have discovered a number of surprisingly strong correlations between periodontal disease and diseases elsewhere in the body.
Take diabetes for example. Someone with diabetes has triple the risk of periodontal disease. Researchers are still unsure which disease is causing which, but it’s hypothesized that gum disease can actually be the trigger for insulin resistance, heart disease, and even arthritis.
How could an infection in the gums lead to such serious problems elsewhere? Inflammation. It’s now understood that inflammation is the underlying cause of most of today’s chronic diseases. When gums are inflamed, that inflammation “travels” to the rest of the body –causing destruction of cells and tissue. Not only that, but certain bacterial strains in the mouth actually do travel into your body. In fact, a study done by the National Institute of Health found that live oral bacteria is often found alive and well inside heart artery plaque.
Stop Periodontal Disease Today
If you suspect you already have periodontal disease because you have symptoms such as bleeding, red, or swollen gums, it’s important to visit your dentist right away.
However, if you’re looking to prevent this condition, here are some tips for you:
- Correct Brushing: If the last time you learned to brush was when you were a toddler, it’s time for a refresher. Always brush in a circular (not side to side) motion with the bristles tipped at a 45-degree angle. Also, be sure to give some attention to the back teeth, which tend to be most susceptible to gum disease.
- Quit Tobacco: The smoke in cigarettes greatly increases inflammation in the gums. People who don’t smoke have a fraction of the risk of gum issues than those that do.
- Get Between Teeth: Even the most advanced toothbrushes do little cleaning between teeth. That’s why flossing once per day is critical to keeping gingivitis at bay.
- Dental Visits: Although the terms periodontal disease and gingivitis are used interchangeably, they are actually two different conditions –periodontal disease being a more severe and advanced form of gum disease. Your dentists will be able to spot, and stop, gingivitis before it worsens.
- Be Healthy: The link between your body and mouth is a two way street. If you live an overall unhealthy lifestyle, then your mouth is much more vulnerable to infections. If you have diabetes or insulin resistance, it’s important to manage it as well as possible as to prevent severe periodontal disease.