The Health Consequences Of Untreated Periodontal Disease

Dentist Blog

You've probably heard people say that if you don't take care of your teeth, other parts of your body will suffer. They aren't making up that information to scare you--it's actually true. If you have untreated periodontal disease, then this disease can cause serious health consequences over time, including:

Negative Effects On Your Heart

If left untreated for too long, periodontal disease can cause heart disease or it can make existing heart conditions worse. The inflammation of the gums can cause infections within the heart, which may require antibiotics to treat if you don't want to see diminished heart function. Any infections within your teeth and gums may also put you at a greater risk of having a stroke than people with healthy teeth.

Dementia and Memory Problems

Gum disease doesn't just affect your heart but also your brain. Current studies have shown that people with significant gum disease seem to score quite poorly on memory tests, perhaps suggesting that gum disease is linked to memory loss over time. In fact, scientists say that over time, the less frequently you take care of your teeth, the greater your risk for dementia will be.

Childbirth Issues

While the study for this is still going on, there have been many scientific claims that women with gum disease may have a greater risk of having their babies prematurely than other women do. By not properly maintaining their teeth, these women may be causing their babies to have a low birth weight, or they may even be putting the child at risk for potential birth defects.

What Can You Do To Treat Periodontal Disease

If you already have periodontal disease, don't fret, you're not eternally doomed to suffer from one of the health conditions mentioned above. There are still plenty of ways you can treat this condition to prevent yourself from getting sick in other ways. If your periodontal disease is not too far advanced, your dentist can prescribe an antimicrobial mouthwash to kill all of the bacteria in your mouth. They can also prescribe many other medications to attempt to nip this disease in the bud once and for all. However, if you have a more advanced form of gum disease, then other treatments like surgery may be necessary.

The health consequences of untreated periodontal disease are very real. Fortunately, they don't have to be an issue for you. If you simply take the prevention and/or treatment steps mentioned above seriously, then you can be on your way to a healthy mouth and, ultimately, a healthy life.

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14 January 2015