There are many different causes of receding gums. Although this dental condition is common, its effects are not limited solely to your oral health. If left untreated, receding gums can allow bacteria and infection to enter your body. This could make you more likely to get other serious health conditions. Therefore, it’s important to have regular check-ups with your Lovet Dental Baytown dentist. By having a dentist conduct professional teeth cleanings and monitoring your oral health, you can stay on top of any dental issues that may arise. If you do show signs of receding gums, our dentists can get you the treatment needed to prevent other serious issues from arising.
What Are Receding Gums?
Regardless of the causes of receding gums, it is considered to be periodontal or gum disease. This condition occurs when the soft tissue that supports your teeth starts to shrink. This can leave the bones of your teeth exposed and result in gaps under your teeth.
These gaps could allow food particles and other debris to enter. These food particles allow bacteria to grow and can lead to tartar and plaque build-up. The bacteria then leads to inflammation, which increases the risk that an infection could occur. If it is left untreated, this gum disease could weaken teeth and leave the body vulnerable to other health conditions. Seek treatment from our general dentistry if you have questions about your oral health.
Health Conditions And Receding Gums
The number of serious health conditions that have been linked to poor oral health continues to grow. Dr. Angelo Mariotti, DDS, Ph.D., is the chair of the Ohio State University College of Dentistry’s periodontology division located in Columbus, Ohio. He noted that there have been over 120 health conditions that have been linked to gum disease. He did note, however, that researchers have not established a clear relationship between each of them.
Heart Disease
Each day, about 2,400 people in America die of cardiovascular or heart disease. This leading killer occurs when the arteries become thicker because of fatty proteins that build up. Oral bacteria that can enter the bloodstream because of receding gums can attach to these fatty proteins and lead to the formation of clots. This could impede the flow of blood to the heart.
Diabetes
Diabetes could affect the blood glucose levels of those people who have periodontal disease. This could lead to them being more susceptible to bacterial infections due to inflammation.
According to a study published in the Dental Research Journal, if a person has gum disease, they might also have elevated levels of HbA1C. This is glucose-linked hemoglobin that tells doctors how well a patient’s diabetes is being controlled.
Respiratory Infections
If you have periodontal disease, it could set you up for an increased risk of respiratory infections. This includes serious health conditions like acute bronchitis, pneumonia, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Respiratory infections occur because bacteria from your upper throat region make their way into the respiratory tract that is located lower down in your body. The result can be respiratory illnesses that could be severely debilitating. These are one of the leading causes of death in this country.
Preventing Receding Gums with Lovett Dental Baytown
At Lovett Dental Baytown, we care about your overall health as well as the health of your mouth, teeth, gums, and tongue. Regardless of the causes of receding gums, we can work closely with you to help stop the progression of this condition.
We also offer the following services:
So no matter your dental needs, Lovett Dental Baytown is ready to help. Call us today at 281-838-8400 to schedule an appointment for assistance with the cause of your receding gums.
