A Healthy Mouth A beautiful bright smile and fresh breath are very nice indeed, but they are not always a sign of a healthy mouth. There have been studies done that show that gum disease can be linked to some medical conditions including stroke, heart attack, diabetes and lung disease.

Someone who has healthy gums manifests a biological age of up to 6.4 years younger than they really are. How is that possible? Well it has been thought for a long time that the state of health of your gums is directly related to the state of health of your cardiovascular system and other major systems in your body.

Gums in poor health, such as the presence of periodontal disease, especially associated with tooth loss, definitely affect longevity. Emory University along with the Centers for Disease Control, conducted a study that showed people with gingivitis and periodontal disease have mortality rates between 23% and 46% higher than people who do not have those gum diseases. Gums in poor health increase the body’s risk of many sicknesses, including heart disease.

What is Gum Disease? Gum disease is also known as periodontal disease. It is a chronic inflammation of the gums and surrounding tissue, often accompanied by infection. Gum disease is the most common cause of approximately 70 percent of tooth loss in adults. It affects three out of four people at some time during their lives. Gum disease is characterized by red gums, swelling and bleeding in its initial stages. These stages progress to infections, chronic inflammation and in later stages even bone loss. When bacteria thrive in these conditions, they flow freely through the gums and into the blood stream, activating and over-stressing the immune system.

Heart Attack Risks While research is pointing to an increase of 25% in heart attack rates among people with gum disease, these statistics are hard to ignore. Heart health is being directly related to gum health in recent research. Clotting caused by plaque build-up in the arteries puts a person in a very risky health situation. Because the bacteria travels from the gums to the veins and arteries and causes plaque to build up, this is more than just a strong suggestion to keep your gums in great health.

Diabetes Related to Gum Disease Periodontal disease has been identified as having a significant effect on the ability to control blood sugar levels. When the bacteria from the gum disease originating in the mouth courses throughout the body via the veins and arteries, it causes great stress on the body and confuses its ability to adjust blood sugar levels in response to the bacterial invasion. Antibiotic treatment has had a positive effect for diabetics who are trying to control their blood sugar levels while at the same time treating the bacterial infections which were caused by the periodontal disease in the first place.

Lung Infections Bacteria growing in oral cavities can be breathed into the lungs. These bacteria, once in the lungs, can cause respiratory disease including pneumonia. This is not as well-known as the correlation between gum disease and heart disease.

Keeping a Healthy Mouth

Keeping a healthy mouth is paramount to the overall health of your body. Regular dental checkups at your local or Lethbridge Dentist will go a long way to keeping your gums and teeth in tip-top shape. Professional cleanings of your teeth help to remove plaque and other build-ups that brushing alone cannot remove.

Choosing a Good Dentist

There are several things to consider when choosing a good dentist in Lethbridge AB. First of all, how flexible are their office hours to your work schedule? Some dental offices are open early, starting at 7:00am to accommodate those with 9-5 jobs. Some dental offices are open one evening per week, if you prefer to get your dental work done after rather than before you go to work for the day. Sometimes one Saturday per month is available. Secondly, how are payments processed? Does the dental office charge you the entire amount and then you must send the receipts in the mail to get your insurance discount? Read reviews left on the many health/dental internet sites available and see what kind of feedback has been left. The most important part is choosing a dentist that you feel comfortable with.

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