Sometimes you learn more about your health and realize there were things you never knew. One of them is the condition of your gums and how a deviation from normal can have a ripple effect on your whole body. Statistics indicate that 65 million adults have varying degrees of gum disease, but only a few seek treatment. Perhaps, now is the time to learn all you can about your gums. More importantly, discover how they can increase your risk of other diseases.

Untreated periodontitis can increase the risk of diabetes

The United States is said to have the highest prevalence rate for diabetes. People between 20 and 79 years have the highest numbers of living with the disease. With this in mind, it would be in your interest to take preventive measures to reduce the risk of getting it. Apart from dietary matters, one area to look at is your gum health. Research has proven that gum disease increases blood sugar levels. Different bacteria cause periodontitis, but there is a common feature that runs through them all.

They produce waste and enzymes that seep into the bloodstream. When that happens, it stimulates the body to increase sugar levels. Over time, the body succumbs to the process, triggering sugar resistance, leading to diabetes. Furthermore, those already living with diabetes are at a greater risk of aggravating their condition. This is because their body is already dealing with the pressures of controlling blood sugar. Therefore, any more sugar spike can be fatal. This is why people with early-stage periodontitis are encouraged to visit the local dentist as soon as possible.

Risk of endocarditis

This is an infection emanating from the heart’s inner lining. Endocarditis can happen at any time, but there is a higher risk when germs migrate from any part of the body and end up in the heart. You may wonder how germs travel in the body – the simple answer is the circulatory system. The blood is the conduit that aids all types of germs traveling inside the body.

Therefore, with periodontal disease, the bacteria in the gums move around until they settle within the heart’s lining. Just like diabetes, people with pre-existing endocarditis can exacerbate the condition when diagnosed with gum disease. Indeed, the dangers and inconveniences are countless, which explains the need for increased gum care. You can do this by brushing morning and night, regular flossing, and attending regular dental appointments.

Reduced immune functions

For starters, periodontal disease triggers inflammation in the gums and other parts of the body. When several inflammations occur simultaneously, it becomes too much of a burden for the immune system. Remember that gum disease weakens the immune system and opens the body up to infections. At some point, it becomes too much for the body’s natural defense system to fight off infections. This is when a person’s periodontitis persists and doesn’t seem to improve over time.

These illnesses can be difficult to manage when the immune system is compromised. For this reason, it is important to take better care of your gums and improve your quality of life.