When you think about your oral health, you may only be concentrating on tooth decay and cavities. Unfortunately, this is not the full picture of what’s going on in your mouth! Periodontitis, or periodontal disease, is a chronic gum infection that can affect more than just your gums, it can also cause heart disease and cancer!
In fact, periodontal disease is not well known by the general population, but it can take a major toll on your health over time if it is not diagnosed and treated. That is why it is necessary to diagnose the condition early and get proper periodontics and gum disease treatment in Aurora. Periodontal disease is a gum infection that can destroy the tissues that help support your teeth. Once the disease begins, it takes decades to reverse, but early diagnosis and treatment can slow and possibly stop this serious dental condition from advancing any further.
It may not seem like it, but periodontal disease does affect your overall health in a number of ways, including:
Gum Disease and Diabetes
Gum disease has been linked to diabetes. The reason is that oral bacteria can multiply in the blood vessels in your body, which can lead to an increase in blood sugar levels. So, people with gum disease are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes.
Higher Risk of Heart Disease
If you have gum disease, you are at a higher risk for heart disease, which is the leading cause of death in the United States today. Periodontal disease can lead to inflammation in the arteries that feed blood to your heart. The result can be damage to your arteries and an increased risk of heart attacks.
Cancer
The connection between gum disease and cancer is a little less well-known, but it is still there. The presence of oral bacteria in the lymphatic system has been shown to increase the risk of certain types of cancer, including some that are rare. This includes uterine cervical cancer and tongue, mouth, and throat cancer.
From your mouth, these bacteria can also travel out through the bloodstream. If you have ever had a cold, you may have already experienced this. The bacteria that have traveled out of your mouth create an infection in your body. Additionally, chronic periodontitis increases your risk of certain types of oral cancer.