Did you know that the bacteria associated with gum disease can drastically increase your risk of heart attack, stroke, diabetes, and many other serious systemic diseases? Did you know that plaque buildup in your mouth can contribute to plaque buildup in your arteries? Did you know that abscesses or re-infected root canal treated teeth can lead to unwanted cardiovascular events? Did you know that an acidic environment in the mouth can indicate imbalances in other places in the body? If your mouth is unhealthy, your body is likely to be unhealthy as well. The good news is that the reverse is also true – getting your mouth to a healthy state can also lead to improvements in overall body health.
For too long people have treated the mouth as an isolated environment from the rest of the body. We are happy to help you understand the connections between the mouth and the body and how it can impact you.
Some examples are:Blood sugar – High blood sugar or blood sugar instability weakens white blood cells and makes it harder for the body to fight infections. This can lead to being more prone to infections, including gum and tooth infections. Gum disease can also raise blood sugar levels, creating a vicious cycle of inflammation and infection that will eventually cause diabetes.
Saliva pH – highly acidic saliva is directly linked to tooth decay. It is also linked to higher acidity throughout the body which can lead to other degenerative diseases like cancer, heart disease, arthritis, and others.
Gum disease bacteria – the bacteria that cause gum disease have been associated with heart attacks, stroke, diabetes, Alzheimer’s and many other diseases. Gum disease is an infection and should be treated as such on the biological level.
Genetic factors – some people have a gene that makes them more at risk for gum disease. These people need to be followed more closely and seen more often to prevent gum disease and associated effects.