When you think of maintaining your health, do you ever think of your teeth and gums as an integrated part of your whole body? While it may seem secondary, maintaining healthy teeth and gums is important because periodontal (gum) disease has been linked to a host of "systemic" problems. Oral hygiene is "more than a feeling," and it's not just a cleaning anymore. Periodontal disease can affect the health of your whole body because the bacteria from your gums can spread throughout your body, with or without dental procedures.
Bacteria and inflammation associated with periodontal disease have been linked to the following health problems:
- Bacterial pneumonia
- Diabetes
- Heart Disease
- Artery blockages
- Stroke
- Low-birth-weight and pre-term babies
Preventing and controlling periodontal disease is very important. Here are some tips on how to prevent or control periodontal disease:
- Brush your teeth with toothpaste thoroughly twice a day to help prevent decay.
- Clean thoroughly between your teeth daily with floss or another interdental method.
- For extra help controlling plaque, we can recommend an anti-microbial mouth rinse.
- Schedule routine oral hygiene check-ups.
Since many people don't know that they have periodontal disease, it's a good idea to make an appointment with our office so Dr. Reese can check your teeth and gums. If you have one of the conditions listed above, or it runs in your family, this is especially important. For advanced cases of periodontis, we have periodontic services and are able to provide periodontal surgery all in one office. Please call 317-882-0228 to give us the pleasure of providing you with outstanding preventive dental care!