Bacteria that builds up between the tooth and gum can enter into the bloodstream whenever your gums bleed. These bacteria can travel throughout the body and cause serious health problems:
1) Heart Disease: Bacteria from the mouth can get into the bloodstream when the gums are inflamed. This bacteria can get mixed up with blood-clotting cells called platelets. These clumps of cells and bacteria can lodge inside the walls of the blood vessels, causing heart-stopping clots to form. These clots are what lead to heart disease. Keeping your gums healthy can reduce your risk of a heart attack.
2) Stroke: A new study of fatty deposits lodged in the carotid arteries of stroke sufferers shows that up to 40% of the bacteria that cause the fatty deposits comes from the mouth if the gums are inflamed.
3) Ulcers: The bacteria that collect in your mouth when gum disease is present are the same bacteria that cause gastric ulcers. If the bacterial count in the mouth is high, these bacteria can be constantly traveling to the stomach, reinfecting and causing a return of ulcers.
4) Diabetes: The presence of any gum inflammation can make it much more difficult for a diabetic to control their blood sugar. Elimination of any gum inflammation can directly improve diabetic control.
5) Pre-term Births: Women with gum disease are seven to eight times more likely to give birth prematurely to low birth weight babies. Researchers believe that the low grade gum inflammation causes the body to release inflammatory chemicals which are linked to pre-term birth.
We welcome you, your family, friends, and coworkers to experience state-of-the-art dentistry, excellent clinical care, and superb customer service. Call our Creve Coeur dental office at (314)567-3555 if you have any other questions or would like to schedule an appointment. Our Creve Coeur dental office is conveniently located near Chesterfield, Maryland Heights, Ladue, Clayton, Ballwin, Town and Country, Manchester, and Olivette for patients throughout the St. Louis area. We welcome the opportunity to give your smile life!