The Importance of Periodontal Care for Overall Health

What is periodontal maintenance, and why is it essential for your wellness? Discover the link between gum care and better health.

What is periodontal maintenance? It's taking care of your gums, which are often overlooked, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC estimates that four in ten Americans had periodontitis when they were younger, and one in two men still have some level of periodontitis.

But why is periodontal maintenance still important for your overall health? It's simple: periodontal care is the backbone of good oral health.

Having healthy gums as you get older is priceless. Yet, periodontal care is often neglected as we age, increasing the risk of advanced gum disease or periodontitis. Luckily, the benefits of periodontal maintenance extend beyond your mouth.

Read on to learn the importance of proper gum care and better health.

Oral Health Enhances Your Overall Well-Being

Numerous oral health conditions are preventable through proper gum care. Failing to address gum care increases the risk that you might develop other oral health issues, such as tooth decay. As your gum and oral health suffer, the body becomes susceptible to disease-causing infections or germs.

Your mouth is the gateway to your body, and it's directly connected to your digestive system. So, unaddressed germs or bacteria due to poor gum health can find a way into your body. Also, if you are on certain medications, it's vital to maintain good periodontal care.

The following medications can reduce the flow of saliva in your mouth:

• Antihistamines
• Antidepressants
• Decongestants
• Painkillers

The ability to fight off germs in the oral system is greatly minimized if you suffer conditions affecting the immune system. For instance, individuals with diabetes will likely experience worse oral health outcomes if they don't follow a professional's oral health tips. 

Gum Disease Prevention and Cardiovascular Health

As you age, the body's ability to fight off infections worsens. Hence, you may notice that certain infections or germs in one part of the body can move quickly to another with little to no resistance. This is the main cause of a cardiovascular disease known as endocarditis.

Endocarditis occurs when the inner lining of your heart chambers gets infected. Such infections can come from poorly maintained gums. Further, research by the National Library of Medicine shows a correlation between poor oral health and cardiovascular disease.

The importance of gum health and its link to overall health cannot be overstated. Many gum diseases are preventable and treatable. So, there is no need to risk your life by avoiding seeing a dentist near Laurel. 

Periodontal Care and Type 2 Diabetes

Patients with Type 2 diabetes are more likely to suffer from gum disease. Lack of proper periodontal care increases the risk of complications caused by diabetes. As gum disease gets advanced and transitions to periodontitis, blood glucose regulation becomes much more difficult.

Other complications that diabetic patients may experience if they don't have adequate gum care are:

• Higher risk of oral infections
• Inflammatory response exacerbates nerve damage
• Gum disease negatively affects the function of insulin

Periodontal disease is treatable, making all these potential complications avoidable with good periodontal maintenance. The bidirectional nature of periodontal and gum conditions with diseases that affect the whole body makes it important for you to practice periodontal maintenance.

Periodontal Health Facts

Periodontics is a branch of dental hygiene focusing on conditions affecting gums. Periodontists are crucial in treating gum disease and helping patients prevent tooth loss. Seeing a periodontist should come naturally if you value your smile.

Some signs of periodontal disease during its early stages are almost undetectable or attributable to something you consumed. Here are common signs of gum disease:

• Reddish gums
• Pain while chewing
• Bad breath
• Swollen gums

All these signs are easy to miss or ignore, but the longer you wait, the more advanced the condition becomes. In some cases, advanced gum disease can affect the jawbone and even require cosmetic dental surgery.

But all this is preventable through good gum care. You can follow a few maintenance tips at home, such as:

• Brushing every day
• Drinking plenty of water
• Maintaining a healthy, balanced diet
• Cutting down on alcohol consumption

Research from the American Journal of Preventive Medicine has found a correlation between periodontal disease and lower systemic health outcomes. Regular dental exams are the best way to ensure you can detect, prevent, and treat periodontal disease.

Importance of Gum Health

Benefits of Periodontal Care

The importance of good gum health extends far beyond the mouth. The first role gums play is as the anchors of teeth to the underlying jawbone.

As a protective barrier, gums are often overlooked, so the question, 'What is periodontal maintenance?' has become so common.

Yet gum health is often an afterthought, which is why plaque buildup can happen so quickly. As plaque builds up, it causes gum disease.

Once the infection sets in, it can develop over time, reaching an advanced stage that threatens your oral health and general well-being.

Gum disease prevention should be the primary goal of getting regular checkups at your periodontist. Additionally, ensure you maintain good care of your gums to avoid tooth loss, especially if you're at an advanced age. Poor gum care can result in advanced periodontitis, which can cause complications during pregnancy, according to the Harvard Medical School. 

While achieving a beautiful smile is the first motivation to seeing a gum care specialist, the gains of periodontal go far beyond your gums and teeth.

Some of the benefits of periodontal care are:

• Prevention of adverse health conditions
• Faster diagnosis of gum disease
• Optimize oral and general health

With regular checkups, a lot about your oral health is noticed.

Book an Appointment with a Periodontist Today

If you are still wondering, 'What is periodontal maintenance?' Think about gum disease like an iceberg that you can ignore at face value but will likely cause the most damage to your oral and general health. 



Regular checkups are the best way to safeguard your general well-being. We have all the effective treatments to enhance your gum care at Garland Davis' Family Dentistry. Contact us today, and let's prevent, diagnose, and treat periodontal problems together.