#1 GUM DISEASE LINKED TO OVERALL HEALTH!

Since the Mouth is the Window to your Health let’s discuss how the #2 disease in the world (GUM DISEASE) is linked to systemic health.  WHAT IS GUM DISEASE AND WHAT CAUSES IT?  Gum disease is an inflammation or an infection of the gum tissue surrounding the teeth.  In the beginning it is mainly inflammation called Gingivitis but left untreated it becomes an infection that eventually spreads to the bone surrounding the teeth.  If you lose enough bone you will also lose your teeth.  In the early stages there is usually no pain and the only symptom is bleeding when you brush or floss.  In the final stages it can be very painful and be very expensive to extract and replace your teeth.  There is tons of research going on all the time because of all the links and connections that seem to occur between gum disease and systemic health.  In many cases if you get your mouth healthy, the body will follow.  THE MOUTH IS THE WINDOW TO YOUR HEALTH.

So let’s take a look at some of the latest links between gum disease and systemic health

1. It has been estimated by the CDC that 75-91% of Americans have some form of gum disease! This has been linked to serious health complications and most of the disease process is preventable.  According to the Academy of General Dentistry 90% of all disease has some link or connection with the mouth.
2. Gum disease is mainly caused by bacteria from plaque and tartar buildup. Other potential causes may include Tobacco use, certain medications, clenching and grinding your teeth and possibly genetics.
3. Signs of gum disease include red, bleeding or swollen gums, loose teeth, bad breath and tooth loss.
4. Heart disease and stroke-one study said that possibly 25% of heart attacks and strokes can be linked with gum disease. As the level of gum disease increases, the risk may increase with it.
5. Cancer-many recent studies show a link between certain types of cancer and gum disease especially throat cancer and breast cancer. They also found men with gum disease were 54% more likely to develop pancreatic cancer than men without gum disease.
6. Diabetes-according to CDC, people with diabetes often have gum disease likely caused by high blood glucose levels. High sugar intake has also been linked to both gum disease and diabetes.
7. Preterm or low birth weight babies-research shows that women with gum disease are 5 times more likely to have a baby born preterm. Let’s make sure our pregnant women are flossing and going to the dentist.
8. Chronic kidney disease-a study conducted by Case Western Reserve suggests that people without teeth or with gum disease are more likely to have chronic kidney disease.
9. Alzheimer’s disease- A new study published this year showed evidence of a link between a common oral bacteria and Alzheimer’s. It found a connection between Porphyromonas gingivalis– a bacteria that damages gum tissues and causes gingivitis – and dementia. The researchers believe that the presence of this bacteria in the brain causes Alzheimer’s disease.  More study is needed.
10. Osteoporosis-researchers have suggested that there is a link between gum disease and osteoporosis.
11. Lung disease-research has found that the bacteria in the mouth can be aspirated into the lungs to cause respiratory diseases such as pneumonia.
12. Evidence indicates that there may also be a connection between severe gum disease and rheumatoid arthritis, cognitive impairment, obesity, metabolic syndrome and erectile dysfunction.

SUMMARY – As you can see, THE MOUTH IS THE WINDOW TO YOUR HEALTH!  In my opinion, over the next few years we will see many more connections between the bad germs and that cause gum disease and many other systemic diseases or conditions.  The paleo diet does not feed these bacteria and therefore your chance of getting gum disease is greatly diminished. DON’T FEED THE BAD BUGS, FLOSS, BRUSH AND GO SEE YOUR DENTIST!