your gums are talking

Dental specialists worldwide stress the importance of oral hygiene. From cardiovascular health to diabetes, gums give important clues about the well-being of our bodies.

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By Laurel Gillum

Gum disease is an infection caused by the bacteria found in plaque that creeps in underneath the gums. This infection slowly erodes away the foundations of the teeth, a ecting the bone that surrounds and supports the teeth. The three stages of gum disease are gingivitis, periodontitis and advanced periodontitis.

Surprising research has concluded that gum infections have adverse e ects not just in our mouths but throughout our whole bodies. Here are three major areas in which our oral care reflects the overall health of our bodies.

Heart Disease

Bacteria from gum disease can settle on the heart valves and cause permanent damage. Once this happens, the heart will be unable to work e ciently and will become more susceptible to other infections.

Diabetes

Those with uncontrolled diabetes are more prone to infections. If those with diabetes also have gum disease, it either gets worse or their diabetes becomes more di cult to control—or, sometimes, both.

If the immune system has to struggle to overcome two problems at the same time, it often fails to manage either.

Premature Birth

Women who have active gum disease during their pregnancy are more likely to have pre-term and low birth weight babies, as the body cannot concentrate all its resources on the baby while continuously fighting o an ongoing infection in the mouth.

Take Control

As an increasing number of medical conditions are associated with this ongoing silent infection—including rheumatoid arthritis, bowel cancer, even asthma—it is important to take proper measures. Although gum disease does not cause pain, swelling or any other alarming symptoms in its early stages, the e ects of the infection from the highly toxic bacteria echo throughout our bodies and can cause or contribute significantly to other illnesses.

Watch out for these indicators of gum disease:

› Bad breath that won’t go away

› Red or swollen gums

› Tender or bleeding gums

› Painful chewing

› Loose teeth

› Sensitive teeth

› Receding gums or longer appearing teeth

FOLLOW THESE TIPS TO PREVENT PERIODONTAL DISEASE:

1. Brush your teeth. Brushing after meals helps remove food debris and plaque trapped between your teeth and gums.

2. Floss. Make flossing a habit, at least once a day.

3. Know your risk. Age, smoking, diet and genetics can all increase your risk for periodontal disease.

4. See a periodontist. Get an annual comprehensive periodontal evaluation from a dental professional. Sources: colgate.com, everydayhealth.com, perio.org