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Gum Disease Rome GA Gingivitis, Periodontics, Heart Disease Mount Berry GA, Lindale GA Kidney
Failure
DENTIST Rome GA Many people consider dentistry to be just about teeth. Keeping them clean,
white, and free of cavities. Rome DENTAL PATIENT I would agree with that.
DENTIST Rome GA That would be incorrect. Rome DENTAL PATIENT Bummer.
DENTIST Rome GA Dental problems can also include gum disease.
Rome DENTAL PATIENT Gum disease. I know what that is. It is when your gums get all pink
and puffy. DENTIST Rome GA Pink and puffy?
Rome DENTAL PATIENT Am I wrong about the puffy? DENTIST Rome GA You could say puffy. We probably
would say inflamed. But gum disease can actually be much more serious than pink and puffy.
Rome DENTAL PATIENT Serious how? DENTIST Rome GA First off, if gum disease,
which is also called periodontal disease, goes on too long, it can weaken your gums,
make them recede, and you can lose all your teeth.
Rome DENTAL PATIENT Yikes! Losing teeth sounds a lot more serious than pink and puffy.
DENTIST Rome GA That is my point. Any missing teeth can ruin your bite, make chewing difficult,
and give you recurring headaches. But the problem is bigger than teeth.
Rome DENTAL PATIENT Bigger than teeth? DENTIST Rome GA The biggest problem with gum
disease is you have a disease in your mouth that is spreading throughout your body. Rome
DENTAL PATIENT Spreading throughout my body? DENTIST Rome GA Every minute. This can have
many adverse affects. Rome DENTAL PATIENT Yuck. I would think so!
DENTIST Rome GA You have to understand, the mouth is a gateway to the entire blood supply.
The mouth has an amazing number of blood vessels in it.
Rome DENTAL PATIENT Is that why some medicines are placed under the tongue to absorb faster
into the system? DENTIST Rome GA Exactly. It is also why a
critical part of dental health is preventing gum disease. Sadly, even though we estimate
up to 80 percent of people are affected by gum disease, most don't take periodontal disease
very seriously. Rome DENTAL PATIENT I actually had it once.
All I knew was my gums felt more sensitive and they tended to bleed easily. And I learned
it can contribute to bad breath too. DENTIST Rome GA All of that is true.
Realize there are always bacteria in the mouth. And food particles from what we eat can settle
in areas between the gums and teeth. These particles will decay to cause infections too.
Rome DENTAL PATIENT I had not thought of that. DENTIST Rome GA And here is the big one. Because
of this bleeding that accompanies gum disease, those bacteria in the mouth are in contact
with the blood vessels. Rome DENTAL PATIENT That is how it travels
through the body! DENTIST Rome GA Yes! One of the first things
we discovered is it can contribute to heart disease.
Rome DENTAL PATIENT Heart disease? You are kidding me.
DENTIST Rome GA Bacteria entering your blood vessels from your mouth can raise the body's
immunity response, which can create inflammation in the heart and arteries. It not only can
harm the heart, it can also thicken the walls of arteries which hinder the blood flow and
make the heart work harder. Rome DENTAL PATIENT Okay, really not good.
DENTIST Rome GA This also increases chances for plaque to form in the arteries. If plaque
lodges someplace that obstructs blood supply to the heart, there is a heart attack. If
it obstructs blood flow to the brain, there is a stroke.
Rome DENTAL PATIENT Really really not good. I am giving gum disease some serious respect.
DENTIST Rome GA There are many reasons to pay it attention. There is also a link between
gum disease and diabetes. Rome DENTAL PATIENT Diabetes?
DENTIST Rome GA Gum disease doesn’t cause diabetes, but it can make it worse. Plus,
if someone has diabetes, it can make them more likely to get gum disease.
Rome DENTAL PATIENT So you have diabetes, you have to be extra careful about gum disease?
DENTIST Rome GA Exactly. It is also known that pregnant women with serious gum disease
may be seven times more likely to give birth prematurely.
Rome DENTAL PATIENT Mamas beware of gum disease. My new motto.
DENTIST Rome GA Don’t stop there. We now believe there’s also a connection between
severe gum disease and increased risks of pancreatic cancer - which is the fourth highest
cause of cancer deaths in the U.S. Rome DENTAL PATIENT I had no idea gum disease
could be so serious! DENTIST Rome GA Most people don’t. Bacteria
circulating in blood can also put a strain on the immune system. You might get colds
more often. Or they last longer. Of it is just that something always seems wrong.
Rome DENTAL PATIENT Yucks! DENTIST Rome GA before many surgeons perform
transplants or other major operations, they first demand patients get a dental clearance
from their dentist. Surgeons know if the body is weakened from gum disease, it could compromise
the surgery. Rome DENTAL PATIENT Wow. People are taking
this seriously! DENTIST Rome GA They should. But even if gum
disease isn’t so advanced to cause major illnesses, it can still make you sleep poorly.
Or your digestion might be off. Or your brain may not think as well. You may just feel tired
all the time. Rome DENTAL PATIENT I hate feeling tired all
the time. DENTIST Rome GA I can understand that. Someone
who is always tired has a harder time with life. They don't get what they want or need
done. They get depressed. They may even turn toward drugs for depression.
Rome DENTAL PATIENT It just keeps on getting better and better.
DENTIST Rome GA The truth is, it can get better. With help from your dentist.
Rome DENTAL PATIENT This part I want to know. DENTIST Rome GA To avoid gum disease in the
first place is to keep up with good brushing and flossing.
Rome DENTAL PATIENT I can do that. DENTIST Rome GA Next, make regular visits
to your dentist and hygienist so they can help keep your gums and teeth clean and in
good condition. Rome DENTAL PATIENT I can do that.
DENTIST Rome GA If it is more serious, we can still help with deep cleaning like scaling
and root planing. Plus if you would need gum surgery, we now can use lasers which are less
painful and heal faster. Rome DENTAL PATIENT Lasers. I love lasers!
DENTIST Rome GA We always advise patients that their gums are perhaps the most important
thing to take care of. Not just for their mouth, but overall health.
Rome DENTAL PATIENT I am really beginning to see that!
Gum Disease Rome GA, Dentist Rome GA, Periodontist Rome GA, Periodontal Disease Rome GA, Gingivitis
Rome GA, Kidney Failure Rome GA, Heart Disease Rome GA, Prenatal Care Rome GA, Pregnancy
Gum Disease Rome, Premature Baby Rome GA, Periodontics Rome GA