How Does Your Gum Health Impact Your Overall Health?

Did you know that your gum health can impact your overall well-being? At Avalon Dental Care, we provide preventive care and periodontal therapy to keep your gums as healthy as possible, enhancing your health and quality of life. The following is a look at the close connection between maintaining healthy gums and your overall well-being.

What Is Gum Disease?

Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is a serious, chronic, and progressive condition that affects the gums, soft tissue, and bone that keep your teeth firmly in place. It usually results from plaque and tartar buildup, which irritates your gum tissues, leading to inflammation.

Early periodontal disease, a condition known as gingivitis, is characterized by red, puffy, and inflamed gums that may bleed. Without prompt treatment, the condition will progress, and the gums will begin to recede, or pull away from the teeth, leaving spaces called periodontal pockets. These pockets can trap plaque and food particles, providing the ideal environment for harmful bacteria to flourish.

In its advanced stage, known as periodontitis, the gum inflammation and infection can damage the structures supporting your teeth, leading to bone loss, tooth mobility, and even tooth loss.

How Does Periodontal Disease Impact Your Health?

Aside from its impacts on your oral health, chronic gum inflammation linked to periodontal disease has been shown to elevate your risk of a range of health concerns, including the following:

• Heart Disease: Harmful, periodontal disease-causing bacteria can make their way into the bloodstream, potentially causing blood vessel inflammation and increasing the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, and stroke. Studies show that patients with untreated periodontal disease are at a higher risk of experiencing heart attacks than those with healthy gums.
• Systemic Diseases: The chronic inflammation linked to periodontal disease can spread to other areas of the body. This can increase the risk of systemic conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis and even certain cancers.
• Diabetes: Unmanaged periodontal disease can make it more difficult to control your blood sugar levels, while diabetes can elevate the risk of gum inflammation and infection. The destructive cycle is harmful to both your oral and overall health.
• Respiratory Problems: Harmful oral bacteria can enter the lungs, leading to respiratory problems and impacting your overall health. Periodontal disease can complicate the management of COPD and may increase the risk of pneumonia.
• Pregnancy Complications: Hormonal changes that take place during pregnancy can elevate the risk of periodontal disease. Moreover, periodontal disease has been linked to pregnancy complications that may include preterm births and low birth weights.   

How Is Gum Disease Treated?

The first line of defense against gum disease is a deep dental cleaning called scaling and root planing. The non-surgical treatment involves gently removing plaque and tartar built up over time on your teeth and gum line, and cleaning and smoothing your tooth root surfaces. Deep dental cleanings can often reverse gingivitis, restoring your healthy smile. In the case of periodontitis, they can help prevent further damage to the structures supporting your teeth.

After scaling or root planing, we may recommend antibiotic treatment with ARESTIN to target bacteria in the periodontal pockets and promote healing. We also offer Perio Protect, a revolutionary, non-invasive approach for gum disease prevention and treatment. Custom-fitted trays are used to deliver a medicated gel directly to your periodontal pockets, helping to reduce inflammation, eliminate harmful bacteria, and promote gum healing.

After treating your gum disease, we typically recommend periodontal maintenance visits every 3-4 months to ensure your gums stay as healthy as possible. We will clean your teeth, assess your gum health, and intervene as necessary to effectively manage your periodontal disease. It’s also critical to maintain excellent at-home oral hygiene practices, including daily brushing and flossing, to prevent the gum inflammation and infection from progressing.

Periodontal Therapy Near Me in Lomita, CA

Contact Avalon Dental Care to learn more about maintaining your gum health. From preventive care to periodontal therapy and ongoing monitoring and support, we’re here to keep your smile at its best. We invite you to call 310-530-3100 to schedule an appointment or book your visit online today!