Gum disease (also known as periodontal disease), is a subtle but potentially disastrous medical problem that millions of people must contend with each year. Unfortunately, not many people take the time to learn about and prevent gum disease because for years we were told to brush and floss daily in order to prevent tooth decay and the loss of our teeth. Precious little has been done to make people aware of the consequences of gum disease and that plays a large part in the overall ignorance about the condition. Some of the more minor problems that may arise when gum disease prevention is not taken seriously include:

  • Halitosis and the worsening of morning breath
  • Increased susceptibility to infection and disease
  • Potential for lesions or “mouth sores” in oral cavity

The more serious health implications of a failed or non-existent gum disease treatment are:

  • Loss of gingival and supporting bone tissue
  • Teeth loosen and ultimately fall out when no supporting bone structure remains
  • Increase risk for coronary heart disease
  • Increased risk for infective endocarditis (infection in the heart chambers or arteries) especially for anyone who has a history of problems with other heart problems, including: Mitral Valve Prolapse; Heart Murmur; or Rheumatic Fever.
  • Increased risk of stroke

Indeed, gum disease prevention is a very serious issue because the health implications are so severe if the condition develops and is allowed to spread to other areas of the body. Gum disease spreading to other areas of the body??? No, gum disease does not spread beyond the oral cavity but the bacteria that cause the ailment can and do enter the bloodstream. Once these harmful bacteria are in your blood, they can spread to just about any organ in the body. The heart, in particular, is very sensitive and quite vulnerable to infection. An estimated 60,000,000 are affected by some degree of heart disease. There is an established link between gum disease and heart problems-if gum disease does not directly cause heart disease, then it can certainly worsen existing conditions and diminish your overall health.
Gum disease prevention is not very difficult and typically involves little more than eating a good, healthy diet (to provide the body with enough nutrients to keep the immune system in peak condition) and maintaining good oral hygiene practices. It is especially important to brush and floss daily in order to remove plaque (that slick, invisible film that forms on our teeth throughout the day and as we sleep). The harmful bacteria that cause gum disease and periodontal disease also help form plaque and this layer will harden into tartar and make gum disease prevention far more difficult. If you remove the plaque with simple brushing and flossing, then the bacteria population will be controlled and you will typically not have any further gum health issues. In addition, you want to be sure to drink plenty of fluids and keep properly hydrated so that you have plenty of saliva in your mouth at all times. Saliva naturally helps prevent gum disease because it is loaded with enzymes and oxygen which help control the bacteria population.