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Your teeth affect your health

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Do you have bleeding gums or a sore mouth? How about loose teeth or bad breath? 

If so, you may be among the millions of people who have gum disease, also known as periodontal disease.

And if you have it, you should take it seriously; not just because of the problems it can cause in your mouth, but because it may boost your risk of developing a range of diseases, from heart disease to cancer.

The connection between mouth and body
Gum disease is caused by bacterial infection. When you have an infection in your gums, your body tries to fight by sending infection-fighting cells to the area, an immune response known as inflammation.

Initially, inflammation helps heal the gums. But over time, if gum infections persist, your risk for other diseases increases. Researchers aren’t entirely sure why, but there are two popular theories:

  • Chronic inflammation in the mouth may trigger damaging inflammation elsewhere in the body.
  • Infectious bacteria in the mouth can spread throughout the body, causing infection and a domino effect of additional inflammation.

Biggest risks of an unhealthy mouth
Numerous studies point to a connection between gum health and overall health. For example, one study found that compared with people who had no gum disease, those with gum disease were more likely to develop cancer. The risk went up over 30 percent for lung cancer, 49 percent for kidney cancer, and 54 percent for pancreatic cancer.

In another study, researchers discovered that 93 percent of those who had gum disease were at high risk for developing Type 2 diabetes, compared with 63 percent without gum disease.

Scientists have also found that gum disease can raise cardiovascular disease risk by contributing to clot formation in the arteries, which can lead to heart attacks. Gum disease may also play a part in the development of cancer of the head and neck, Alzheimer’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, stillbirth, osteoporosis and stroke.

A healthy mouth and body
Fortunately, remedying gum disease may help lower your chances of developing these problems. A study on gum disease and heart disease risk published in The New England Journal of Medicine found that people who had gum disease treated had healthier artery linings six months later than those whose gum disease persisted.

Ensure both your mouth and body stay healthy:

  • Don’t smoke.
  • Eat foods rich in minerals and vitamins.
  • Cut back on sugary, sticky snacks, which can encourage plaque growth.
  • Brush your teeth after every meal and before bed.
  • Floss at least once a day. 
  • Schedule regular dental check-ups.
  • Visit your dentist if your gums are bleeding or swollen.

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