Do you know that gum disease does more than endanger your teeth and gums? It can also lead to and worsen many dangerous illnesses.

Gum disease or periodontal disease is actually an infection of the tissues supporting the teeth. when plaque develops, bacteria irritate the gums and cause them to swell. in the beginning, the disease is called gingivitis and only affects the gums. in more advanced phases, the disease is known as periodontitis. the bacteria go under the gum line, eventually attacking the tissues and bone around the teeth which can lead to tooth loss.

The symptoms can be so mild that some people don’t know they have it. Warning signs include: red, swollen, tender gums that bleed easily, gums that have pulled away from the teeth, persistent bad breath, permanent teeth that are loose or separating.

Besides poor oral hygiene, several factors can increase the risk of periodontal disease, including smoking, stress, medication use, such as steroids, diabetes, pregnancy, clenching or grinding teeth, crooked teeth, and defective fillings.

ADVERSE HEALTH EFFECTS

Good periodontal health is good for overall health and wellbeing. to date, there is growing evidence that links periodontal disease to many adverse health events, including heart disease, diabetes, premature birth, and low birth weight babies.

In periodontal disease, bacteria break down the tissues around the tooth resulting in a space where they can breed. Left untreated, the bacteria cause more severe tissue inflammation and then enter blood stream and can cause inflammatory process in the body.

Researches demonstrated that people with periodontal disease are almost twice as likely to have coronary artery disease (heart disease), compared to those with healthy gum. Periodontal disease also creates problems for those with diabetes as well.

Diabetics are twice likely to develop periodontitis and once they have it, inflammation caused by bacteria make it harder to regulate blood sugar And if diabetes is not well managed, more oral health breakdown happens, such as burning sensations, overgrowth of gum tissue, abnormal wound healing, tooth decay, fungal infections, dry mouth, etc.

Surprisingly, periodontal disease can complicate pregnancy it increases the risk of premature labour and low birthweight infants. Inflammation and toxins produced by bacteria can trigger uterine contractions resulting in premature delivery. Some experts suspect that the risk may even greater if gum disease worsens during pregnancy.

TAKE CARE OF YOUR ORAL HEALTH

Follow these steps to keep your oral health in shape.

 - Simply brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and clean between teeth daily with floss or other cleaner.

 - Eat a balanced mix of foods and limit between-meal snacks.

 - Finally, visit your dentist regularly for professional cleanings and oral exams.

So, keeping your mouth healthy may, indeed, be a worthwhile investment in overall good health. Regular professional checkups of the mouth can help detect, prevent and treat gum disease and the disorders that go along with it.

Assoc Prof Dittakarn Boriboonhirunsarn a member of the Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital.

About the author Writer: Assoc Prof Dittakarn Boriboonhirunsarn Latest stories in this category: