Mouth Body Health | Periodontal Disease in Haddon Heights, NJ, USA

Mouth-Body Health Connection

Researchers have found that periodontal disease is linked to several other diseases. Though it was considered, for a long time, that periodontal disease is associated with other diseases, more recent research reveals that inflammation could be the key cause of this association. Hence, treating inflammation might help to stay away from having other chronic inflammatory conditions apart from managing periodontal disease. Let’s have a look at the association of periodontal disease with other common diseases.

Diabetes

People with diabetes are more prone to develop periodontal disease that, in turn,
might increase blood sugar, as well as, diabetic complications. Diabetic patients are at greater risk of developing periodontal disease than those without diabetes. The probable reason could be that diabetic patients are more vulnerable to contracting infections. As a matter of fact, it’s considered by many that periodontal disease is a complication of diabetes. As a result, people, who fail to keep their diabetes under control, are at more risk than those who control it successfully. According to research, the relationship between periodontal disease and diabetes can go both ways. Advanced periodontal disease can higher blood sugar level that leads to increased periods of time when time patient’s body functions with an elevated level of blood sugar. This puts diabetic patients at higher risk for developing diabetic complications. On the other hand, periodontal disease might make it more problematic for diabetic patients to control their blood sugar level.

Heart disease

A significant number of researches have revealed that periodontal disease is linked to heart disease. Though a cause-and-effect association is yet to be proved, research has already indicated that the risk of heart disease gets increased because of periodontal disease. According to scientists, the inflammation triggered by periodontal disease could play a major role in this association. Existing heart conditions can also be aggravated by periodontal disease. Patients having risk for infective endocarditis might need antibiotics before undergoing dental procedures. If you’re to undergo dental procedures, your cardiologist and periodontist would be able to determine whether you need antibiotics before the procedures.

Other systemic diseases

Systemic diseases can affect the entire body as a whole or a number of tissues and organs. Here’re the most common associations of periodontal disease with different systemic diseases.

Respiratory disease: According to research, the growth of bacteria in the oral cavity might be aspirated into the lungs and can trigger respiratory diseases like pneumonia, particularly in people having periodontal disease.
Osteoporosis: As per the suggestions made by researchers, there’s an association between bone loss in the jaw and osteoporosis. According to studies, osteoporosis could result in tooth loss as the density of the bone which supports the teeth could be reduced which means decay of the solid foundation holding the teeth.
Cancer: According to researches, men having gum disease were at 30% more risk of developing blood cancers, 54% more risk of developing pancreatic cancer, and 49% more risk of developing kidney cancer.

Periodontal Disease Characteristics

Affecting both the hard and soft structures that are meant to support your teeth, periodontal disease can cause inflammation, which is the body’s reaction to the presence of harmful bacteria in the mouth. Early stages of periodontal disease are categorized as Gingivitis, which can eventually lead to periodontitis, a serious condition that can cause long-term damage. Periodontitis causes the gums to pull away from the teeth and gums. This can lead to bone loss, deterioration and the loss of teeth.

Chronic periodontitis—which is the most advanced state of the disease—can be relatively slow, typically becoming evident during adulthood. This bacterial infection can cause severe damage to your teeth and gums, though the severity may vary due to risk factors such as genetic susceptibility, age, diet, medications, health issues, and smoking.

Our Smile Health Pathways gives you the tools you need to have a winning smile. It’s recommended that you visit your dentist at least twice a year. How you manage your oral health and hygiene between dental visits can have a significant impact on your health.