If you have poor oral health, you are at risk of cardiovascular disease. Bacteria from infected gums enter the bloodstream and can cause the arteries to build up plaque. This can put you at risk of having a heart attack. If you have gum disease, especially if left untreated, you have a higher risk of developing coronary artery disease.
The bacteria in the gums release toxins. These toxins can travel through the bloodstream. Toxins can cause inflammation in the arteries and create a blockage in those arteries. This blockage increases the chance that you will have a stroke or heart attack.
The bacteria responsible for periodontitis can enter the bloodstream through gum tissue and possibly affect other parts of the body. For example, periodontitis is linked to respiratory diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, coronary artery disease, and problems controlling blood sugar in diabetes. Essentially, gum disease is a gateway disease. When there is a chronic infection in the mouth, general chronic inflammation occurs.
This extensive chronic inflammation contributes to other diseases such as arthritis, diabetes, heart disease and cancer. Altman, Dental specializes in periodontics and can help determine if you have periodontal disease and determine the best treatment process. Poor dental hygiene makes the entire body susceptible to diseases, many of which could be prevented in other ways. Because the mouth has such an abundant blood supply, an overgrowth of bacteria in the mouth can reach the bloodstream.
Although it hasn't been proven to be a cause, it has been linked to Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia in the future. One of the major causes of tooth-related dementia is gingivitis. Gingivitis is a type of gum disease caused by poor dental hygiene and causes inflammation of the gums. This, if left untreated, can expose you to even more risks besides dementia, such as tooth decay and sepsis, a blood infection.
Oral health is extremely important for many reasons. If patients suffer from gum disease, tooth decay, or bad breath, this can cause problems with the teeth, mouth, and even the rest of the body. Our mouths are a way for bacteria to enter the body. Bacteria can enter the bloodstream and this can cause infection or inflammation in other parts of the body.
To understand how the mouth can affect the body, it's helpful to understand what can go wrong in the first place. Bacteria that build up on the teeth make the gums prone to infection. The immune system works to attack the infection and the gums become inflamed. The inflammation continues unless the infection is controlled.
The dental team is known as a superior and reliable dental provider who cares for patients with character and compassion.
