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According to the American Dental Association, there is a direct correlation between your oral and physical health. Ignoring those dental appointment reminders year after year will eventually take a toll on your smile and lead to some serious oral and physical health conditions. While cavities are a common condition you may need to have treated, another to be aware of is gum disease. This oral health disease is chronic and must be treated in a timely fashion. If left unaddressed, you may find yourself facing tooth loss, as well as certain systematic diseases.
Dr. Abbey Lee provides conservative Grant Park gum disease treatments to help patients enjoy better oral and physical health. To schedule your consultation, please contact our Atlanta, GA, practice today online or by calling 404.328.7177.
Gum Disease Can Cause Tooth Loss and Jawbone Loss
Gum disease is a bacterial infection that affects the soft and hard tissues in your mouth. As it continues to develop, it will weaken the gums around the base of the tooth and ultimately begin eroding the teeth. Eventually, teeth will decay, loosen, and either fall out or need to be removed via an extraction.
Another serious side effect is jawbone degeneration, also known as bone loss. When bone loss occurs, it can result in jaw pain, structural changes to the face, and insufficient bone density. Lack of bone density can prevent you from qualifying for dental implants to replace your missing teeth.
Gum Disease Can Cause Diabetes
According to the American Academy of Periodontology, the correlation between gum disease and diabetes seems to go both ways. Patients who have difficulty controlling their blood sugar levels as a result of diabetes are more likely to develop gum disease and diabetic complications. In the same way, as the infection from gum disease enters the bloodstream, it can increase blood sugar levels and cause the body to begin showing signs of diabetes. Both diabetes and gum disease are chronic and require meticulous treatment to keep side effects under control.
Gum Disease Can Cause Heart Disease and Stroke
Gum disease causes inflammation within the mouth that will eventually enter into the bloodstream and affect the body. Prolonged inflammation can result in heart disease or exacerbate existing heart conditions. Because heart disease can develop silently, many are unaware they have it until stroke or a heart attack strike. Attending your routine dental cleanings and examinations can help save your life.
Gum Disease Can Cause Cancer
Poor oral hygiene can place men and women at greater risk of developing oral cancer. During your routine examination, Dr. Lee will use ViziLite to perform an oral cancer screening. This high-tech technology can immediately detect abnormal tissue from healthy tissue to determine if a biopsy is required. Gum disease has also been linked to kidney, pancreatic, and blood cancer in men.
