The Importance of Gum Health to General Health

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A report here explains that bacteria on the base of the teeth can gain entry into the bloodstream of gum tissue and contribute to serious health problems, and stresses the importance of gum health to general health. So keeping your teeth and gums clean and fresh is not just good for your social life but also important for your general health.

The article explains that “Gum disease increases your risk of all kinds of other health complications, including stroke, diabetes, and heart disease.”

 “The link between oral health and overall body health is well documented and backed by robust scientific evidence. Despite this, only one in six people realises that people with gum disease may have an increased risk of stroke or diabetes. And only one in three is aware of the heart disease link.”

“Gum disease is an infection of the tissues that support the teeth. It’s mainly caused by bacteria from plaque build-up. In some patients who are susceptible to gum disease, the body over-reacts to the bacteria around the gums and causes too much inflammation. In others, the inflammation doesn’t clear up properly. The result of the intense gum inflammation is that it also affects the bloodstream and is believed slowly to damage blood vessels in the heart and brain over a long time period.”

“The good news is that brushing your teeth properly and looking after your gums can prevent and treat gum disease, improve your overall health and help reduce your risk of health problems, such as heart disease.”

“Follow a routine of brushing your teeth for a full two minutes twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste, plus cleaning between your teeth with floss or interdental brushes.”

Our mouths are teeming with bacteria all the time of course, and that is unavoidable, but there are bacteria that cause us no harm and other bacteria that cause inflammation, either locally in the gums themselves or at a distance in the walls of blood vessels if they get into the bloodstream. The good bacteria help to keep down the numbers of bad bacteria but it is in places like the base of the teeth where masses of harmful bacteria tend to accumulate unless the plaque that holds them is regularly removed by thorough brushing and flossing. The importance of gum health to general health has not been appreciated until fairly recently but should not be under estimated