Almost everyone has some or other Gum issues.
Ranging from the need of teeth cleaning, bleeding during brushing to pyorrhoea.
LINK OF GUM & YOUR BODY
Gums harbor a lot of bacteria. Unlike the outer surface, the inner lining of gum lacks protective properties. Thus bacteria can easily penetrate inside the body during gum inflammation. Once bacteria or bacterial products gain entry in the circulation, they can spread out to cause a multitude of diseases. Years of clinical research has shown a strong correlation between gum health & systemic diseases.
HEART & BRAIN DISEASE
Bacteria or their products cause inflammation and can trigger:- myocardial infarction (heart attack), angina, atherosclerosis, coronary heart diseases and stroke.
DIABETES
The association of gum disease & diabetes is bidirectional. Due to diabetes, there is a substantial increase in gum disease. Conversely, treatment of gum problems reduces the severity of diabetes.
PREGNANCY
Studies have shown a strong correlation between gum diseases & pre-term labor, pre-eclampsia, premature rupture of membranes (PROM) & low birthweight infants (LBW).
ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION (ED)
A recent study in Taiwan has shown a strong correlation between gum disease & ED. Elevated oxidative stress & endothelial dysfunction triggered by gum inflammation significantly contribute to ED.
OSTEOPOROSIS
Scientist suggests a strong link between osteoporosis & periodontal bone loss. Osteoporosis reduces bone density, which may lead to early tooth loss.
LUNG DISEASE
Tartar & bacteria can be aspirated into the lungs and can cause pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) & acute respiratory infections.
MYTHS
Often patients have a misconception, that getting teeth professionally cleaned, weaken them. Professional teeth cleaning is not at all harmful to teeth, rather it cleans areas which are hard to reach or missed in daily brushing. Do no harm – is the basic principle every Doctor abides by, so any treatment if harmful will be removed out of practice.
Dr.Manthan Desai MDS
Smiles Dental Clinic-Centre For Advanced Dentistry, Mumbai.