Preventing Gum Disease for Overall Health Worth Smiling About
If you’re not taking care of your oral health, you could be jeopardizing a lot more than your pearly whites. That’s because researchers have linked gum disease with a host of health problems throughout the body.4
According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, up to 80 percent of American adults have some form of periodontal (gum) disease.2 The disease is caused by the natural build up of bacteria, mucus, and other particles on the teeth as plaque.2 If plaque is not properly cleaned away, it can infect the tissues surrounding and supporting the teeth.2
Gingivitis Can Lead to Health Problems
Many people have mild cases of gum disease, called gingivitis, which is characterized by swollen, red, and bleeding gums.2, 6 If left untreated, gingivitis can grow into a more serious form of gum disease called periodontitis, which affects about 12 percent of Americans.2, 6, 9 Periodontitis is when gums pull away from the teeth, causing pockets that can become infected.2, 6 Infection triggers the body’s immune system, which fights the bacteria as it spreads below the gums.2
Researchers believe that periodontal disease may cause health problems throughout the body4, 5 by circulating bacteria from the mouth through the bloodstream, causing new infections.5, 7 Inflammation, which can damage tissues, also may occur in other places in the body as a result of the activated immune system.7 These conditions increase the risk for heart disease and stroke.5, 7
People with diabetes can have problems3,5 because high glucose levels in saliva may help bacteria thrive.1 For pregnant women, periodontal disease increases the chance of delivering a premature baby.4, 5
Keep Gingivitis at Bay
Thankfully gingivitis can be prevented and even reversed with good oral hygiene.2 Do your health a favor and take care of your gums by following the steps below:
Brush your teeth gently twice a day1,2,4 with a soft-bristled brush.8 Bristles should contact both the tooth surface and the gum line.8
Floss daily to clean between your teeth.1,2,4
If you smoke, quit.2,4,8
Avoid sugary snacks and beverages.7
See your dentist regularly for checkups and professional cleanings.1,2,4
1 “Diabetes and Your Oral Health.” American Dental Association. www.ada.org/public/topics/diabetes_faq.asp. Accessed 2008.
2 “Periodontal (Gum) Disease: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment.” National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. www.nidcr.nih.gov/OralHealth/Topics/GumDiseases/PeriodontalGumDisease.htm. Accessed 2008.
3 “Periodontal Disease and Diabetes: A Two-Way Street.” Brian L. Mealey. Journal of the American Dental Association. October 2006, vol. 137, suppl. 2, pp. 26S-31S.
4 “Healthy Mouth, Healthy Body.” Journal of the American Dental Association. April 2006, vol. 137, no. 4, p. 563.
5 “Mouth Body Connection.” American Academy of Periodontology. www.perio.org/consumer/mbc.top2.htm. Accessed 2008.
6 “Types of Gum Disease.” American Academy of Periodontology. www.perio.org/consumer/2a.html. Accessed 2008.
7 “Something to Smile About: Care of Your Periodontal and Overall Health.” American Academy of Periodontology. www.perio.org/commerce05/brochures/well-inserts.pdf. Accessed 2008.
8 “Prevent Diabetes Problems: Keep Your Teeth and Gums Healthy.” The National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse, the National Insitute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, the National Institutes of Health. http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/complications_teeth/#day. Accessed 2008.
9 "Scientists Sequence Genome of Major Periodontal Disease Bacterium." National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. www.nidcr.nih.gov/Research/ResearchResults/NewsReleases/ArchivedNewsReleases/NRY2001/PR06122001.htm. Accessed 2009.