Periodontal disease is the term used for the advanced stage of gum disease. This occurs when your teeth and gums become infected with harmful bacteria. Gums may demonstrate signs of redness and swelling, indicating that your gums are in danger of receding. Once the infection spreads in the gums, it can penetrate inside your bloodstream and to your body.
Gum disease in general can have an impact as we age. During old age, looking after oral health becomes even more essential. Alongside this, there are other factors that may also increase the risk of periodontal disease.
- Consuming tobacco through cigarettes
- A lack of a strong oral routine
- Feeling stressed
- Teeth grinding
- Overweight and obesity
- Eating fad diets comprising of sugars and bacteria
These six factors are all part of poor oral hygiene, where your teeth and gums are not being factored in as part of your lifestyle.
What Are The Hidden Dangers Of Periodontal Disease?
If periodontal disease progressively gets worse, these are the following dangers:
- Diabetes – High glucose levels may make it difficult for your body to fight off infections. Diabetic patients are required to control their glucose levels to reduce the spreading of the disease.
- Tooth Loss – Periodontal disease and tooth loss have a strong link. The soft tissue becomes damaged by the infection and destroys the jawbone that keeps your teeth in place. Teeth may fall out completely.
- Cardiovascular and Heart Disease – Studies have also linked periodontal disease to high inflammation levels. This level of inflammation can link to heart disease when bacteria enter the bloodstream. This can cause a heart attack because blood flow will reduce, increasing your blood pressure.
- Stroke – Stroke has a close correlation to periodontal disease because the disease narrows the arteries.
- Cancer – Those patients at high risk of periodontal disease are likely to experience lung and pancreatic cancer. Cancer cells are likely to form owing to a lack of care for your teeth and gums, smoking, eating fad diets, poor physical activity levels, and bad dental habits.
If you notice any of the following signs of periodontal disease, contact us at Ashwood Dental today and we can help you.
- Tender or bleeding around the gums
- Bad breath or an abnormal taste in the mouth
- Sensitivity when chewing on foods
- A changing alignment structure of teeth when biting
