Inform Your Physicians of Any Gum Disease
If you have heart disease or have had a stroke, you should inform your physician about any significant Periodontal (gum) Disease and should be particularly careful to follow existing guidelines. Reducing inflammation in one of these areas should increase the health of the other, simultaneously.
About 50% of the U.S. Adult Population has Periodontal Disease
Inflammatory conditions Atherosclerosis (heart disease) & Periodontitis (gum disease), tend to co-exist and may have intertwined biology’s. The Journal of the American College of Cardiology, published a study showing steps taken to reduce gum disease may also reduce inflammation in the arteries and vice versa. In their study, the heart disease medication Statin, 12mg after 4 weeks, showed great improvement to the Periodontal (gum disease) alongside better improvement of their atherosclerotic disease. With such findings, informing your physicians of your correct medical history is noteworthy and could save you from other ailments in the process.
What Are the Symptoms of Gum Disease?
Gum disease may progress painlessly, producing few obvious signs, even in the late stages of the disease. Although the symptoms of periodontal disease often are subtle, the condition is not entirely without warning signs. Certain symptoms may point to some form of the disease. The symptoms of gum disease include:
- Gums that bleed during and after tooth brushing
- Red, swollen, or tender gums
- Persistent bad breath or bad taste in the mouth
- Receding gums
- Formation of deep pockets between teeth and gums
- Loose or shifting teeth
- Changes in the way teeth fit together upon biting down, or in the fit of partial dentures.
Even if you don’t notice any symptoms, you may still have some degree of gum disease. In some people, gum disease may affect only certain teeth, such as the molars. Only a dentist or a periodontist can recognize and determine the progression of gum disease.
What Causes Gum Disease?
Plaque is the primary cause of gum disease. However, other factors can contribute to periodontal disease. These include:
- Hormonal changes, such as those occurring during pregnancy, puberty, menopause, and monthly menstruation, make gums more sensitive, which makes it easier for gingivitis to develop.
- Illnesses may affect the condition of your gums. This includes diseases such as cancer or HIV that interfere with the immune system. Because diabetes affects the body’s ability to use blood sugar, patients with this disease are at higher risk of developing infections, including periodontal disease and cavities.
- Medications can affect oral health, because some lessen the flow of saliva, which has a protective effect on teeth and gums. Some drugs, such as the anticonvulsant medication Dilantin and the anti-angina drug Procardia and Adalat, can cause abnormal growth of gum tissue.
- Bad habits such as smoking make it harder for gum tissue to repair itself.
- Poor oral hygiene habits such as not brushing and flossing on a daily basis, make it easier for gingivitis to develop.
- Family history of dental disease can be a contributing factor for the development of gingivitis.
Sources: WEBMD
