Periodontal disease may seem like an issue that remains in the dentist chair. However, recent medical studies have shown strong associations between gum disease and other severe health conditions.
Oral Health and Your Body: What’s the Connection?
Periodontitis and systemic disease might be related, despite being caused by different factors. This means treating the symptoms they share (such as inflammation,) could be essential to overall health management.
What Defines a Systemic Disease?
Systemic diseases affect your whole body. Diabetes, heart disease, and breast cancer are some examples. These are all correlated to periodontitis in individual ways.
Heart disease elicits an inflammatory response. Irritated gum tissue caused by harmful plaque buildup can lead to gingivitis. Individuals with diabetes and breast cancer are statistically more likely to develop periodontal disease as well. These conditions could be a result of an already weakened immune system.
Receiving treatment for gum disease can also reduce the risk of a stroke. People with severe periodontitis are more susceptible to this due to the increased inflammation throughout the body.
Prevention
It is essential to understand that there is no causal relationship between periodontitis and systemic disease. A gingivitis diagnosis doesn’t guarantee there is anything else going on. But, there is enough correlation between the two to suggest a bi-annual visit to your dental professional as well as implementing a strong oral hygiene routine is essential and not be neglected.
Preventative measures are both easy and necessary. A visit to your dentist can prevent and halt further periodontal disease from developing with professional deep cleaning treatment.
Dental and Medical
In the medical world, there is a disconnect between regular medical and dental health care knowledge. The discovery of a solid connection between periodontitis and system disease could bridge the gap between the two worlds. Connecting the two would create a culture of whole-body wellness.
If you or a loved one are looking for periodontal treatment with a compassionate approach, we encourage you to call or visit the practice of Zelazny Family Dentistry.