Did you know that periodontal disease can lead to serious health issues like stroke and heart disease? In fact, those with gum disease are two times more likely to experience heart disease, and those who suffer from stroke are more susceptible to gum disease.
When your oral health suffers, apparently your overall health does, too. The common culprit lies with bacterial infection causing inflammation. This harmful bacteria gets into the bloodstream through the gum tissues and sticks to the fatty plaque traveling in the bloodstream. Over time, they cause blockages that trigger your body’s inflammatory response. As the blood vessels swell you can end up with blood clots that interfere with proper blood flow in the body.
Unfortunately, oral diseases such as periodontitis and tooth decay bring with them high levels of bacterial growth. Thankfully, Dr. Kalashini Miller and her team of specialists offer a variety of gum treatments to address oral health concerns that benefit your overall health and wellbeing.
Symptoms you may be experiencing that indicate signs of gum disease can vary, but often include bleeding or red, tender gums, bad breath, pain when you speak or chew food and sensitivity to hot or cold foods and drinks, having receding gums and loose teeth. These are serious symptoms that should not be ignored!
Periodontal Treatments to Restore Oral Health
As a board-certified periodontist, Dr. Miller will first recommend addressing any degree of gum disease you may have to successfully treat and remove harmful bacteria. She may suggest replacing missing teeth with dental implants including crowns, bridges or implant-supported dentures. Ongoing oral care she will recommend includes diligently maintaining your healthy oral hygiene routine, incorporating antibacterial mouthwash to supplement brushing and flossing to remove bacteria and following this with twice-yearly dental exams and cleanings to remove any hardened plaque and keep gum disease in check. It is important to stick to products that have been proven safe and effective to manage your oral care. This means using only products that carry the American Dental Association (ADA) seal of approval.
It goes without saying that tobacco products of any kind are detrimental to your overall health, but your oral health suffers as well because it interferes with your body’s ability to heal tissues and harms both teeth and gums (not to mention it discolors enamel!). The good news is if you are following a nutritionally balanced diet with exercise, your teeth and gums, as well as your body, will be healthier!
If you suspect you have gum disease, we urge you to visit with Dr. Kalashini Miller and her team of specialists to evaluate your oral health and treat the symptoms to avoid damaging your health. If you are one of the many people around the country suffering from respiratory disease, heart disease, diabetes, and pregnancy complications, you will likely benefit from Dr. Miller’s expertise to make sure your gums stay healthy.
Here at the Palm Desert Center for Advanced Periodontics, Cosmetic, Sedation and Implant Dentistry, we help patients like you get your oral health issues under control to avoid potentially fatal health conditions like heart attack and stroke. If you have the symptoms of gum disease and live in the Palm Desert, California, area or La Quinta, Indian Wells, Rancho Mirage, Palm Springs and the neighboring communities of the Coachella Valley, please call us now at 760-851-0314 to schedule your appointment.