Many patients would be shocked to learn all of the ways that our oral health and overall health are intertwined. The latest research identifies relationships between oral health and nearly every other system in the body – including the brain, heart, joints, weight, sleep, and the kidneys.
Periodontal disease, which is an inflammatory infection, releases bacteria into the bloodstream when eating, brushing, flossing, and through daily activities. Once in the bloodstream, bacteria travel freely throughout the body.
A number of factors contribute to the development and progression of gum disease, the primary one being neglect. Conditions and medications that cause dry mouth, including age, can also negatively impact the delicate tissue surrounding your teeth. Saliva production can help to keep gums healthy in addition to reducing cavities, but medications such as painkillers and seizure medication work against the body’s natural saliva production process.
Why Gum Health Is Important
When patients develop gum disease, it can be the start of a lifelong battle to keep the mouth healthy. Gum disease can be controlled but is never cured, except in the very early stages. Tooth loss can lead to a limited diet that further perpetuates additional health struggles including maintaining a healthy weight and proper nutrients. One aspect that is often overlooked is the emotional impact that bad breath and tooth loss can have on individuals with gum disease – avoiding nourishing social outings, dating, friendships, and in extreme cases, a hesitancy to even leave the house.
This negative impact on patients’ quality of life can cause depression, isolation, and even the will to engage on the most basic level with others.
Treatment for gum disease varies from patient to patient. At Highgrove Dental Care, a complete exam will allow us to develop a path to good oral health and a smile that you feel confident about.
Dentist in St. Paul MN
For a dentist in the St. Paul area who gently, honestly, and compassionately approaches dentistry in a way that supports whole body health, contact us to schedule. We welcome new patients.