Gum diseases is a problem that afflicts many people. The condition is caused by a bacterial infection that occurs due to poor oral hygiene. Gum disease comes in various stages which vary in severity. The initial stage is known as gingivitis and this can later develop into periodontal disease that requires medical intervention. In the last few years, scientists have discovered that there could be a link between gum disease and heart problems. Read on to learn more about this suspected link.
How Gum Disease Relates to Heart Problems
According to research, people with periodontal diseases are twice as likely to have heart disease than those who don’t. The research speculates that this may have something to do with the way the body reacts to infections. When one has periodontal disease, the infection spreads to other parts of the body and eventually finds its way into the bloodstream. The body reacts to this infection by triggering inflammation which leads to the formation of arterial plaque in the blood vessels. This arterial plaque can, over time narrow the blood vessel and eventually trigger a heart attack or a stroke.
Although there is ongoing debate regarding this link, it is obvious that it is better to be on the safer side by dealing with gum disease before it becomes serious. Even without considering the link to cardiovascular problems, periodontal disease is such a serious condition that it is worth preventing it or getting treatment as quickly as possible.
Treating Gum Disease
At its earliest stage, gum disease is easily controllable and a lot of the damage can be reversed at that point. Control and prevention at this stage simply involves following a stricter oral health regime and ensuring that you are eating the right kind of food. As the disease progresses into periodontal disease, more complex treatment processes are required. These include doing deep dental cleaning to remove pockets of bacteria and plaque in the gums. If there has been damage to the bone or gums, the dentist might carry out oral surgery to build bone mass and to restore the receded gum. This is important because gum forms a protective layer over the teeth and leaving the tooth exposed is likely to lead to reinfection. If tooth loss cannot be prevented, the dentist might suggest dental implants to replace the missing teeth.
Preventing Gum Disease
Keeping your teeth clean and ensuring that you limit the intake of sugary drinks is one of the most effective ways of keeping this disease at bay. As part of your oral health care program, ensure that you go for regular dental exams. This is because gum disease is a slow-progressing condition and can easily be spotted by a dentist during a dental exam. When that happens, the dentist can treat the condition before it becomes serious and leads to other complications.
If you need a highly qualified dentist to treat gum disease or simply give you regular dental exams, visit Dr. Alex Rubinov of New York City. Dr. Rubinov is a professional and licensed cosmetic dentist with years of experience. Contact his practice at (718) 253-0800 for an appointment.