5 Diseases You Can Acquire if Your Mouth is Not Treated Correctly

You know the rules. Brush your teeth twice and floss once every day. See your dentist regularly, don
t bite down on un-popped popcorn kernels and eat healthy food.

These are the keys to having a healthy mouth and happy smile.

But even if you follow the rules, you could be at risk for disease
especially if you don
t treat problems the right way when they first appear.

Here
s a look at five diseases you can acquire if you don
t properly care for your mouth.

1) Gingivitis

People in the medical community call it gingivitis, but you might know it by its more common moniker: early gum disease.

It happens when bacteria make their homes in the crevices at your gum line or slightly below it. When this happens, two things occur.

First, the bacteria create toxins. Second, your gums react to these toxins, which creates incredibly uncomfortable inflammation and swelling. If you have gingivitis, there
s a good chance your gums bleed when you floss and brush.

And you are not alone. According to the American Academy of Periodontology, between 50 and 90 percent of all adults have gingivitis, which leads to periodontal disease.

2) Periodontal Disease

When bacteria collects on your teeth, it can lead to gingivitis, which causes your gums to swell and bleed when you brush and floss. If left untreated, gingivitis can quickly turn into periodontal disease, a much more serious health concern that (as you will soon read about) has been linked to health problems that go well beyond your mouth.

When bacteria at your gum line makes its way deeper into your gums, it can start to eat away at your gums, bone and teeth. This is a common cause of tooth loss. It
s also treatable
if you see your dentist on a regular basis and have it taken care of early on.

3) Diabetes

People who have diabetes often also suffer from periodontal disease. This might be because people with diabetes have a harder time fighting off infections. But it could also be because gum disease makes it more difficult to control the body
s blood sugar.

Either way, taking care of your mouth is wise. Many people with diabetes have found that their symptoms are reduced once their periodontal disease is properly treated.

4) COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is not limited to people who smoke. Periodontal disease has been linked to COPD and pneumonia, according to a study published in the Journal of Periodontology. Researchers think that some people develop COPD after bacteria from their mouths are inhaled into their lungs, causing airways to become inflamed.

5) Heart Disease

Did you know that people who have gum disease are nearly twice as likely to develop heart disease compared to those who don
t suffer from gum disease?

It
s true, even though researchers aren
t exactly clear why. One theory is that the bacteria in your gums and mouth somehow enters your blood stream and attaches to fatty plaque. This can cause inflammation of your blood vessels and blood clots, both of which can lead to a heart attack.

If You Want a Healthy Smile, Live a Healthy Lifestyle

At the end of the day, following the rules you
ve been taught about living a healthy lifestyle, including brushing twice a day and flossing once a day, isn
t only good for your smile, it
s good for your overall health.

If you
re interested in learning more about how to maintain a healthy mouth or to set up a consultation with a specialist at Central Florida Periodontics, don
t hesitate to contact us today!