Having a set of white and sparkling teeth isn’t the only sign of a healthy mouth – a healthy mouth also entails healthy gums, something that can be achieved through regular brushing and flossing. In much the same way your bones protect your internal organs, your gums help protect your teeth and keep them where they are supposed to be. Improper gum care, however, can cause oral diseases like periodontitis, which could then lead to a slew of complications if not treated by a trusted dentist in Atlanta, GA.
The Basics of Periodontal Disease
According to the latest estimates provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, over 1 in 7 American adults between the ages of 35 and 44 suffer from periodontal disease. These numbers continue to increase with old age, with over one in four adults over 65 years old suffering from periodontal disease. Meanwhile, another report from the American Academy of Periodontology estimates that over 20 to 30 percent of adults have a serious case of periodontal disease that puts them at risk of losing their teeth.
How do people acquire periodontal disease? There are several factors that can increase the likelihood of a person acquiring it such as smoking, stress, and poor oral hygiene. Medical conditions like diabetes and immuno-deficiencies can also increase a person’s risk of acquiring periodontal disease, particularly if a certain medication has a side effect of causing dry mouth.
Other Health Perils
Once you get periodontal disease, it won’t just be your gums and teeth at stake, but your overall health too. Several studies have noted links between the inflammation caused by periodontal disease and health conditions like diabetes, stroke, premature births, and heart disease. In the latter case, a recent study from the American Academy of Periodontology found that people with poor oral health are twice as likely to have heart diseases and heart attacks.
Treating and Preventing Periodontitis
Treating gingivitis is easy enough. The inflammation can be turned around with a renewed regimen on maintaining oral health. For periodontitis, however, it might not be so easy. Treatments for more severe cases of periodontitis might include deep cleaning of the root surfaces beneath the gums or corrective surgery in worst-case scenarios.
Preventing periodontitis only requires simple tasks like keeping your mouth clean everyday with regular brushing, flossing, and visits to professional Atlanta dentists like those from Buckhead Esthetic Dentistry. Preventing periodontitis and other forms of periodontal diseases is the first step to keeping yourself from contracting more serious health problems.
Sources:
The Health Perils of Gum Disease, WebMD
Periodontal Disease, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention