Having good dental hygiene helps with many things in our mouths. Brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing once a day helps prevent gum disease, cavities, and bad breath.
However, the benefits of good oral hygiene go beyond your mouth- it can also impact the health of other parts of your body.
Recent studies have shown a connection between gum disease and other illnesses such as Alzheimer’s disease and heart disease.
A study done by the NYU College of Dentistry found that gum disease could increase the risk of cognitive dysfunction in healthy individuals as well as in those who are already cognitively impaired. When people who had gum disease were tested at 70 years old, they scored 9 times lower on the assessments than those who did not have gum disease at the same age.
In another study based in the UK found Porphyromonas gingivalis in brain samples of those with Alzheimer’s disease that was not found in those with a healthy brain. This bacterium is usually associated with gum disease. Bacteria can move around the body through the nerves connected to the roots of your teeth or directly into the bloodstream.
There have also been studies done recently that connect gum disease with heart disease. Although it isn’t 100% proven, there is a lot of evidence pointing in that direction.
Some of the proven facts are that people with gum disease are twice as likely to have heart disease. They also found that a higher level of bacteria in the mouth from gum disease was more likely to cause clogging in the arteries, which can lead to stroke.
When people have bleeding gums, bacteria can enter the bloodstream and can form blood clots when it sticks to the platelets. Another connection is that both diseases are inflammatory. As inflammatory substances enter the blood stream, they are likely to worsen chronic conditions such as heart disease and diabetes.
When gum disease is prevented, it is likely that your body will be healthier as well. Here are some tips to help your mouth stay healthy.
Gum disease is most easily treated when it is caught early. One of the treatments that Dr. Aurasteh provides is specialized water therapy that sterilizes the entire mouth and helps the gum tissue repair itself. She also provides non-surgical gum therapy and monitors your bone levels, pockets, and bleeding gums in order to take the appropriate steps to repair your gums.
If you think you may have gum disease or your family has a history of heart disease, make an appointment with Dr. Aurasteh today by calling 310.247.1252. It is best to get your symptoms of gum disease treated right away before it escalates and can harm other parts of your body.
