The Unfortunate Link Periodontal Disease Can Cause Systemic Problems If Left Untreated
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The bacteria in your mouth are anaerobic meaning that they like places without oxygen and they like warm dark places and to be left undisturbed. When you eat food there are bacteria all around. How about that Yankee Stadium hotdog which has been curing all season before you consume it?
So a great incubator for bacteria is your mouth. It's dark in there, the temperature is around 100 degrees and if you’re not flossing they are being left alone.
When you analyze how your teeth reside in your mouth they are connected to your jaws by little fibers called periodontal ligaments. These fibers go from your teeth into your jaw bones. In a healthy situation where your teeth and gums meet there is a little pocket or sulcus which should be 2 to 3 mm in depth.
When you eat food and you do not floss the food remains in the pockets and over time the pocket gets deeper. Once beyond four mm in depth even if you floss you will be unable to remove the food at the base of the pocket. So the pocket deepens, the bacteria produce acids which ulcerate your gums leading to bleeding in these areas.
Bleeding is the highway into the interior of your mouth. So now the bacteria have a highway into your internal organs and they’re going to take a trip and visit the sights within you. The bacteria in your mouth are not supposed to be here – so they are going to have a good time but not so much for you.
Systemic diseases linked to periodontal conditions or gum problems in your mouth can increase your risk for stroke, heart attack, heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s disease, asthma and rheumatoid arthritis.
They won’t cause these conditions but can exacerbate their occurrence. Since gum disease can be easily prevented with a little effort on your part, why not come in today for us to take a look and see if you should be concerned.
The problem with gum disease is it silently progresses within the person without them realizing it so they’re in trouble long before they know it. Now the condition has advanced and more definitive treatment is necessary. We can still help to prevent its progression but being proactive is always in your best interest.
Looking for a Dentist in the Upper East Side?
At the practice of Glenn Reit DDS; we provide quality care in a relaxed, comfortable, clean and safe environment. Please contact us today at 212 517 9000 for this or any other of your dental needs. We look forward to seeing and taking care of you!
