Did you know that your mouth can show signs of what is happening to your body, and vice versa? That’s what we here at Horner Barrow Orthodontics mean by the mouth and body connection.
The mouth is connected to the rest of the body by an intricate network of blood vessels, lymphatic tissues and nerves. That means the same blood that flows through your body also flows through your mouth, teeth and gums.
Research done over many years consistently proves the connection of the health of one’s body with the health of one’s mouth.
So let’s discuss gum disease.
It may seem somewhat normal for some of us that, when we brush or floss, our gums bleed, especially those who have it occur easily and/or regularly. Just because it does occur, doesn’t mean it IS normal. For instance: if your hand just began bleeding while washing your hands, you would think something’s wrong. You would most likely go right to your doctor’s office. So when it comes to bleeding gums, why do so many people dismiss it as something normal?
Bleeding gums are the body’s way of telling us that we have gum disease. That sounds serious. It IS serious! Many people haven’t been properly educated about gum disease, which is why we are discussing it today.
Many people are affected by gum disease but many are also completely unaware of it because it is an almost painless disease. Bleeding gums tell us that we have a dental condition called gingivitis, which is the mild form of gum disease. Many people at some point in their lives do have it, but the good news is that it is easily reversible with good oral hygiene.
If gingivitis is not treated, however, it will then get worse and become a more serious form of gum disease known as periodontitis, or periodontal disease. Periodontitis is the inflammation of the gum tissue surrounding your teeth which results in the destruction of the bone and tissues that keep your teeth, and your mouth, healthy. It starts as a space we call a pocket between the gum and the tooth which widens and deepens over time because of poor oral hygiene. This, in turn, allows more and more bacteria to breed and enter your bloodstream. That’s why gums tend to look red and puffy. The bacteria irritates the gums, creating redness, and as the the gums get puffier, the more protected the bacteria becomes, allowing it to spread.
Unless your general dentist is able to get into that space or pocket between the tooth and gum to clean out all that bad bacteria, the gums will become more infected; to the point where the tooth will lose all its supporting structure and fall out.
If there is an infection in your mouth, it can spread through your bloodstream to the rest of your body where the bacteria from the mouth infection can cause, or increase, inflammation in the body. This is particularly a serious problem in someone with joint replacements and people with certain types of heart conditions. But what does that mean for the rest of us who appear to be healthy?
Science has proven that gum disease is linked to:
• Diabetes
• Arthritis
• Osteoporosis
• Heart disease
• Stroke
• Infertility
• Preterm birth
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Cancer
Gum disease creates more inflammation which leads to illness and disease in the body, which creates even more inflammation. More inflammation in the body then accelerates and worsens gum disease. It’s a vicious cycle that keeps on going.
In many cases, people don’t realize they have gum disease which is why it is SO very important to always have regular dental care (especially when wearing braces or any orthodontic appliances), including check-ups, screening X-rays and professional dental cleaning, to both assess and tend to your dental needs and treat the condition.
Please see your Sioux Falls, SD general dentist for advice and treatment if you have any (or all) of the following symptoms:
• you have bad breath, or have a bad taste in your mouth
• red gums; especially around the margin of your teeth
• if your gums bleed, or are swollen or tender to the touch
• if your gums are not firm against, and have loosened up around your teeth
• if your teeth are loose, or there is pus present
Now here’s the good news. With regular dental care and proper home oral hygiene, you CAN get control of the disease and reverse the damaging effects it causes.
So, the next time you think you’re too tired to brush your teeth, or that flossing is just too much trouble, consider the impact it can have not only on the health of your teeth and gums, but on your overall health as well.
Dr. Kevin Horner or Dr. Keri Barrow can show you the proper way to clean and care for your teeth while wearing braces. Just ask us at your next appointment.
At Horner Barrow Orthodontics, we are committed to delivering excellent quality orthodontic treatment to each and every patient. To provide a friendly, caring, and pleasant atmosphere that will ensure our patients feel relaxed and confident about placing their orthodontic care in our hands.