Interesting Facts You Need to Know About Gum Disease

Gum disease is an unfortunate problem to have, but it’s also an interesting topic to learn about. It begins by putting your gums in an irritating state of inflammation called gingivitis and, if left untreated, it will reach a painful and destructive level of infection called periodontitis. In honor of September being Gum Care Month, your dentist is bringing you this list of fascinating facts about gum disease to help affirm your commitment to excellent oral hygiene.

Gum Disease Is Like a One-Hit Wonder: It’s Catchy

You might think that gum disease is limited to the person it initially showed up in, but the unfortunate reality is that it is contagious. Gum disease is known to spread through kissing and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, making taking care of your oral hygiene a service to yourself, your loved ones, and your lifeguard. Gum disease is actually so good at getting around that it can be spread from pregnant women to their unborn children. Gum disease is more common during pregnancy due to hormonal changes, so many OB doctors recommend that pregnant women have regular dental exams.

Gum Disease Doesn’t Always Just Stay in the Gums

You might think that the bacteria that cause gum disease would only be comfortable in the gums, but they have been known to venture beyond the place of their birth. If gum disease is allowed to reach the point of periodontitis, these bacteria can travel through the circulatory system and cause secondary infections in other parts of the body. These bacteria in the bloodstream may contribute to the buildup of plaque within the blood vessels, stressing the cardiovascular system and contributing to heart disease and heart attacks.

Gum Disease and Diabetes Are Like the Evil Version of Chocolate and Peanut Butter

If you have gum disease, your body is going to have an autoimmune response against it. If your body is struggling to eliminate the infection for an extended period, the effort will stress your endocrine system, which can aggravate or increase your risk of developing diabetes. To make matters even worse, diabetes can hinder your body’s autoimmune responses, lowering your defenses against gum disease and increasing your risk of developing it. Having diabetes and gum disease together can turn into a brutal cycle of each making the other worse.

Gum disease is a hazard to your gums, the rest of your body, and your loved ones. The good news is that it can almost always be prevented with excellent oral hygiene, smart eating choices, and regular dental visits. If you have these three things in place, you have a multi-layered shield to protect you from the unpleasant effects of gingivitis and periodontitis.

About the Author

Dr. Laura Philipps graduated with her Doctor of Dental Medicine at Tufts University and has since accumulated more than two decades of experience in dentistry. She is a proud member of the American Dental Association, the Texas Dental Association, the American Equilibration Society, and the American Academy for Oral Systemic Health. Her practice in Midland, TX offers general, restorative, and cosmetic dentistry in addition to periodontal treatments. To learn more about preventing gum disease, contact her office online or dial (432) 570-4433.