The Impact of Gum Disease on Your Health

As well as the impact of gum disease on your oral health, there are some surprising effects it can have on other parts of your body.

Established gum disease gives bacteria direct access to the bloodstream. The spread of infection can have catastrophic effects on your health including inflammation and tissue damage.

How Gum Disease Impacts Your Health

The impact of gum disease spreads much further than your mouth and can cause the following issues if left untreated:

• Inflammation
• Tissue damage
• High blood pressure
• Increased risk of heart disease
• Increased risk of stroke
• Increased risk of diabetes
• Increased risk of dementia
• Pneumonia
• Blood clots
• Arthritis

It is essential that you get a diagnosis and treatment from your dentist as soon as you suspect you have gum disease to prevent your gum disease spreading.

Preventing Gum Disease

The best way to prevent gum disease and protect your overall health is to improve your daily oral hygiene:

• Brush your teeth at least twice a day
• Floss at least once a day
• Swill your mouth with an antiseptic mouthwash to kill bad bacteria that causes gum disease
• Decrease the amount of sugar in your diet
• Stop smoking

If you are concerned about your oral health and believe you have gum disease, book an appointment at our Kettering clinic to get a check-up.