Beware the Dangers of Dental Inflammation!

Gum disease, also called periodontal disease, is extremely common. In fact, some experts estimate that it afflicts around half of adults in the U.S.! Sadly, the seriousness of gum disease is often underestimated. In fact, it can spark an inflammatory reaction that affects your head-to-toe health. What exactly are the dangers of dental inflammation? This blog post explains what you should know.

The Problem with Inflammation

Inflammation is part of your body’s immune response. It occurs when your system detects an infection or is trying to heal an injury. Acute inflammation, which only lasts for a short period of time,is a good thing because it can help you to recover from various illnesses.

Chronic inflammation, however, is a bad thing. Some health conditions can cause long-term inflammation that puts your immune system in a constant state of red alert. It can damage healthy tissues throughout the body and lead to an increased risk of many diseases, including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, autoimmune disorders, and certain types of cancer.

Gum Disease and Chronic Inflammation

Gum disease is an infection of the gum tissue. Without treatment, it may be present for months or even years at a time. As long as it remains unaddressed, it is contributing to your body’s overall burden of inflammation. In other words, it is a local infection that does not stay local. It is associated with an increased risk of many health problems, such as heart attack, stroke, diabetes, and more.

It is also worth noting that gum disease and other inflammation-related illnesses have common risk factors, such as a poor diet, chronic stress, a lack of physical activity, and more.

A Healthy Mouth Supports a Healthy Body

Given the seriousness of gum disease, it is important that you take steps to prevent and/or manage this issue. Here are some practical actions that may help:

• Visit Dr. Thomas for a checkup and cleaning. If she finds signs of gum disease, she can recommend a treatment plan.
• Eat a balanced, nutritious diet. Avoid overindulging in low-nutrient foods. Instead, try to center your diet on things like fruits, veggies, whole grains, and lean proteins.
• Stick to a thorough oral hygiene routine. Regular brushing and flossing can do much to reduce your risk of gum disease!
• Stay active. Moderate levels of physical activity are associated with a reduced risk of many health conditions, including gum disease.
• Care for your emotional health. Stress is associated with increased inflammatory activity, so be sure to make room in your schedule for some relaxing “you time.”

Oral inflammation is a big deal! You should take practical steps to protect both your smile and your overall health.

About the Practice

Under the leadership of Dr. Preetha Thomas, our team provides top-quality holistic oral healthcare to the Southlake community. We provide gum disease treatment, thorough preventive services, and more. We are always eager to offer advice that supports our patients’ long-term wellness. To learn more about how we may be able to serve you, contact Enclave Dental at 817-912-1218.