Potential serious risks to your general health from untreated gum disease
Posted by Richard Kelly on
Gum Disease
Bleeding gums, bad breath, sensitive teeth, gum recession, loose teeth are all common signs of gum disease or periodontitis. The main cause of these symptoms is poor oral hygiene, infrequent or incorrected tooth brushing and lack of cleaning in between your teeth to remove the bacteria (Plaque) and stagnant food build up.
When you suffer from gum disease, an inflammatory response is triggered in your mouth. Your gums change from pink to red or purple, swell up and may bleed. Gum disease is normally painless and therefore many people are unaware they suffer from gum disease. As the gum disease progresses, chronic inflammation of the gums allows bacteria to enter into the blood stream and there is now evidence this can affect your body and your physical health.
Chronic inflammation can cause issues throughout the body and the connection between Gum disease and Heart disease, Diabetes and many other conditions, such as Pneumonia, Stroke, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Alzheimer’s, Cognitive impairment, Obesity, Premature Births ,Erectile Dysfunction and Cancer is now apparent more than ever before.
Dental hygienists will clean teeth but are also trained to recognise and treat patients for oral diseases such as gingivitis and periodontitis (gum disease) and can administer local anaesthetic to have painless treatment. They can can take x-rays and provide other preventive dental care such as fissures sealants and fluoride treatments. They can educate patients young and old on ways to improve and maintain good oral health.
Please visit your Dental Hygienist or Dentist if you have any concerns regarding your gums, teeth or mouth. All dental practices in Mullingar have a registered dental hygienist.
For comprehensive and free health advice and information call in to Whelehans Pharmacies, log on to www.whelehans.ie or dial 04493 34591 (Pearse St) or 04493 10266 (Clonmore).