Gum Disease: A Threatening Public Enemy?

Currently, between 24% and 33% of the American adults are affected by major gum disease.

Moreover, there are 7,500+ Americans dying of oral and throat cancer on an annual basis, and there are 35,000 new cases of such cancers diagnosed every year.

The situation has reached a critical point, and the population needs to understand the importance of preventive oral hygiene, and the connection of gum disease to other serious illnesses.

Periodontal disease is basically a threat for all the major organs in the human system.

Some of the health issues to which gum disease is directly linked, include breathing problems & asthma, stroke incidence, premature birth, heart attack, kidney complications, pancreatic cancer, diabetes, oral and throat cancers and blood cancers.

Fortunately, technology and the advanced equipments in the dentistry offices can help prevent the apparition of all these complications, by treating gum disease in its incipient phase. Moreover, the patient can get the proper education so that he can adhere to a regular and special oral health regimen at home.

According to statistics, approximately 8% of the Americans have diabetes.

Gum disease is a huge threat in diabetics, mainly because of the bacterial infection present which affects the blood sugar levels, and for a diabetic it gets more and more difficult to control the symptoms. Thus, getting regular assessment and treatment for gum disease in diabetics is very important for their overall health.

Next, it has also been proved that pregnant women, who suffer from gingivitis, may enter early labor, or low birth weight. In general, people who struggle with gum disease are 2 times more exposed to the risk of developing coronary artery disease and other heart complications.

Those who suffer from severe complications of their gums might get susceptible at developing pneumonia or emphysema. The bacteria that can be found in the oral cavity might be very easily transferred through inhalation to the respiratory tract, where the disease will start to develop.

Keeping a healthy oral hygiene regimen and an overall healthy oral cavity (gums+ teeth) will help stay overall healthy.