Periodontal diseases affect more than 47% of 30 years and above Americans. Your risk of a dental illness increases as you age. About 70% of people over 65 years old have at least one form of periodontal infection. The Woodlands periodontist offers different types of treatment for your gum disease, including dental implants, lengthening dental crowns, surgery, and laser treatment. You should go for treatment immediately if you suspect or discover you have periodontal disease. Signs and symptoms to look out for include swollen gums, smelling breath, receding gums, and pain during chewing.
Failure to maintain your oral health and go for regular dental checkups that enable early diagnosis and treatment of periodontal diseases may put your cardiovascular and reproductive health at risk.
Periodontal diseases and cardiovascular disease
For decades studies have continued to probe the connection between the development of periodontitis and cardiovascular infection. The initial findings suggest that plaque and tartar accumulation in the mouth can end up in your arteries. The build of plaque in arterial walls leads to their narrowing, obstructing blood from flowing normally and making it easy for infection to be transported to the cardiovascular system.
Moreover, when you have a severe gum infection, the body can heal faster in a short time since acute inflammation causes more production and release of white blood cells for attacking microorganisms and substances that cause irritation and inflammation.
But, in the long-term, chronic inflammation, which lasts for months or years, can contribute to different health issues, including the build-up of substances on the walls of your arteries. Research shows that chronic inflammation can silently trigger heart disease, apart from other conditions.
There is still no exhaustive evidence suggesting how the treatment of gum diseases can safeguard you against life-threatening complications and conditions of the heart. However, credible proof indicates that preventing periodontitis can reduce your risk of heart issues.
Periodontal diseases and reproductive health
Harmful bacteria from your mouth can spread to your periodontal pockets, experiencing an infection. Periodontal pockets are openings that surround your teeth beneath the gum line. After infection-causing bacteria fills the spaces, it becomes too easy for the issue to extend into your bloodstream.
Then, the dangerous bacteria negatively affect your immune system, making your body susceptible to inflammations. That is why there has been a discovery of periodontal pathogens in human placenta tissues and the birth cord in child-carrying women. Therefore, if you are struggling with getting pregnant, maintaining the hygiene of your oral health should be part of your prenatal care. For instance, in vitro fertilization, a procedure to assist with fertility and conceiving, the success rate can be affected when you have a severe gum infection.
If you are a man with a severe gum infection, you are at a higher risk of infertility and a lower count of sperm. That reduces your ability to impregnate your partner. If you have trouble impregnating your partner and you think you have a gum infection, consider going for oral treatment.
Contact Scott Young, DDS, today for periodontitis diagnosis and surgical or non-surgical treatment.
