Our mouth – it is a breeding ground for bacteria, the amount of which a person controls through oral hygiene. Studies show that the oral cavity can be the root cause of many diseases in the body.
"Periodontitis – is a chronic inflammatory disease caused by more than 500 types of bacteria that live in plaque below the gum line" – Joan Otomo-Corgel tells – President of the American Academy of Periodontology and Associate Professor of Periodontology at the University of California, Los Angeles.
Periodontitis – is a term for gum disease, including gingivitis, which can cause the gums to swell, bleed, or become irritated. Periodontitis can cause tissue and bone damage around the teeth, as well as tooth loss.
Research has shown that severe forms of periodontitis can lead to chronic kidney disease, increasing the risk of such disease by as much as four times. Similar studies have also established a link between periodontitis and various diseases, including heart disease, stroke, Alzheimer's disease and diabetes.
The cardiology community already recognizes periodontitis as a risk factor for coronary heart disease, peripheral arterial disease, and stroke. These diseases are associated with the inflammatory process.
Evidence of such a link was presented at the annual meeting of the American Society for Microbiology. The scientists found that after six months, mice infected with four different types of bacteria that cause gum disease had inflammation and elevated cholesterol levels associated with cardiovascular disease. In addition, these bacteria have been found to travel from the mouth to the heart, kidneys, lungs, and liver.
It has also been found that diabetics are prone to developing gum disease and vice versa.
While studies have shown a link between periodontitis and Alzheimer's disease, a direct causal relationship between the two needs to be proven.
Specialists believe that advanced cases of gum disease may be the key to unlocking the door through which bacteria gain access to other organs through the bloodstream. One study found that they can also enter the brain, damaging brain tissue.
Also, periodontitis can pose a threat to a newborn child. Scientists have established a link between periodontitis and preterm birth, as well as the birth of a child with underweight.
Otomo-Korgel says that if a woman needs gum treatment during pregnancy, the second trimester of pregnancy is the ideal time for such treatment.
The conclusion suggests itself: the oral cavity requires no less care and attention than other parts of the body. Brush your teeth twice a day and use dental floss to remove plaque between your teeth.
Also remember to never ignore the signs of gum disease – redness, sensitivity, pain when brushing teeth, bleeding, persistent bad breath.
Professional oral care is the basis for the prevention of caries and periodontal disease. One of the most important reasons for the development of these pathologies is dental plaque and the microorganisms that hide in it. To avoid complications, at least once a year undergo the removal of dental plaque and calculus:
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