Periodontal disease has a significant impact on your overall health. When you visit Dr. Shannon Pye for a periodontal treatment, he will work with you to develop a customized treatment plan that will help you maintain a healthy mouth and improve your overall health. For more information about how we treat periodontal disease based on the mouth-body connection in Walterboro, South Carolina, call us today at 843-549-5913.
There are a variety of systemic conditions that are associated with periodontal disease. These diseases and conditions include:
- Heart disease and stroke
- Pregnancy Complications
- Respiratory Disease
Periodontal Disease and Diabetes
Individuals with pre-existing diabetic conditions are more likely to either have or develop gum disease. Periodontal disease may increase blood sugar levels and make controlling your glucose levels more difficult. Diabetes also thickens blood vessels and makes it more difficult to remove excess sugar in the mouth, which in turn becomes a food source for the harmful bacteria in your mouth.
Periodontal Disease, Heart Disease and Stroke
There are several strong theories about the link between periodontal disease, heart disease and stroke. One is that the oral bacteria which cause gum disease attach themselves to the coronary arteries upon entering the bloodstream, contributing to blood clot formation and the narrowing the arteries, which leads to a heart attack. Another theory is that the inflammation caused by gum disease causes plaque buildup, which swells the arteries and worsens pre-existing heart conditions.
Periodontal Disease and Pregnancy
Women experience frequent hormone fluctuations during puberty, pregnancy and menopause. These hormonal fluctuations put women at greater risk for developing periodontal disease. Women with periodontal disease are at greater risk of preeclampsia, and delivering premature and underweight babies.
Periodontal Disease and Osteoporosis
One of the characteristics of periodontal disease is the progressive bone and tissue loss that it causes as the disease advances. Osteoporosis is a common bone disease that frequently occurs in post-menopausal women. It is often characterized by low bone mass, bone fragility and a decrease in bone mineral density. Individuals with osteoporosis are significantly more likely to develop periodontal disease.
Periodontal Disease and Respiratory Disease
When the bacteria that cause gum disease move into your lower respiratory tract during normal inhalation and colonize, they put you at risk for bacterial infections of the lungs. This aggravates conditions such as pneumonia and can contribute to chronic or persistent respiratory issues.
For more information on the connection between your oral and overall health, please call our office today!