To understand how the mouth can affect the body, it helps to understand what can go wrong in the first place. Bacteria that builds up on teeth make gums prone to infection and inflammation. If allowed, inflammation and the chemicals it releases eat away at the gums and bone structure. The result is severe gum disease, known as periodontitis. Health issues may occur when infection and bacteria from the mouth spread throughout the body. Periodontal disease is, directly and indirectly, related to systemic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and obesity.
Signs of periodontal disease include inflamed red swollen gums, bleeding while brushing or flossing, pain when chewing, loose teeth, and a change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite.
Patients with gum disease may need special kind of gum treatments also known as deep scaling or deep cleaning. This is when a hygienist goes under the gum to remove plaque, calculus, and bacterial colonies. This will give an opportunity for gums to heal and get healthy. Every patient will have a different stage of gum disease. For each patient the treatment is customized. Patients who have good oral hygiene and have been seeing their hygienist at least every 6 months, will most likely only need regular cleaning.
By maintaining excellent oral hygiene and treating the periodontal disease to reduce its progression, you may avoid other health issues besides preventing gum disease and bone loss. Proper oral hygiene may help prevent serious medical conditions. At Haines City Dental we educate our patients on oral health. It is our goal to help you achieve and maintain the highest level of dental health possible. Once good oral health is achieved we recommend a daily routine and to see your hygienist every 4-6 months.
We at Haines City Dental are excited to share our passion for oral health with you and your family.
This column is sponsored by Haines City Dental, and the opinions expressed herein may not reflect those of CFHN or of its advertisers.
