{"id":19322,"date":"2021-11-05T10:14:44","date_gmt":"2021-11-05T15:14:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thepapergown.zocdoc.com\/?p=19322"},"modified":"2023-03-06T11:49:59","modified_gmt":"2023-03-06T16:49:59","slug":"5-reasons-gum-health-is-so-important","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.zocdoc.com\/blog\/guides\/5-reasons-gum-health-is-so-important\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Take Better Care Of Your Gums"},"content":{"rendered":"

Keeping your gums healthy isn\u2019t just a key to your dental health\u2014research shows that gum health is also connected to a slew of other health outcomes, from memory loss to diabetes.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGum disease not only affects the integrity of your oral health and smile, but it can also affect your overall health,\u201d says Dr. Angela Evanson, a dentist based in Colorado. <\/span>\u201cTaking care of your gums is important because it can connect to health issues you could be experiencing in your day-to-day life.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Aside from warding off gum disease, here are five additional reasons to care for your gums through regular brushing, flossing and dental cleanings.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Protecting your cardiovascular health<\/h3>\n

Science <\/span>has yet to fully explain the link<\/span><\/a> between oral and cardiovascular health, but research suggests that oral bacteria may lead to inflammation and infections that can precede cardiovascular events. Dentists say the link between gum health and cardiovascular health is reason enough to make a concerted effort to care for your gums.<\/span><\/p>\n

For instance, people who suffer from gum disease are <\/span>two to three times more likely<\/span><\/a> to have a heart attack, stroke or another type of major heart problem.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Reducing the impact of diabetes<\/h3>\n

People with diabetes need to follow a \u201cstrict at-home dental hygiene routine\u201d and visit the dentist <\/span>at least twice a year<\/span><\/a>, Evanson says: \u201cThose who are diabetic are more at risk for developing gum and oral health issues.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The research agrees: Untreated periodontal disease in diabetics can <\/span>cause blood sugar levels to rise<\/span><\/a>. The American Dental Association <\/span>reports<\/span><\/a> that treating gum disease in diabetic patients can improve blood sugar control, which slows down the progression of diabetes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Improving your memory<\/h3>\n

In 2020, the <\/span>National Institute on Aging<\/span><\/a> released a study that found a link between gum disease and Alzheimer\u2019s among older adults.<\/span><\/p>\n

Recent <\/span>clinical trials<\/span><\/a> have also found a connection between <\/span>P. gingivalis <\/span><\/i>\u2014 a bacteria that commonly causes gum disease \u2014 and Alzheimer\u2019s. While <\/span>studies so far don\u2019t reveal a causal link<\/span><\/a> between gum disease and dementia, they do demonstrate a correlation, which could provide a compelling reason to keep your gums healthy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Maintaining joint health<\/h3>\n

\u201cAn infection of the gums can set off your immune system and cause an autoimmune response,\u201d Evanson says. <\/span>Research<\/span><\/a> shows that the same bacteria that causes certain types of gum infections also causes the inflammatory autoimmune response found in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

How exactly does gum bacteria trigger RA? It\u2019s possible that oral bacteria leaves the mouth through damaged gum tissue, enters the bloodstream and harms other parts of the body, such as the joints, according to <\/span>the Arthritis Foundation<\/span><\/a>. Children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis also tend to have <\/span>higher rates of periodontal diseas<\/span><\/a>e<\/span> than other children.<\/span><\/p>\n

While more research is needed to understand the link between joint and gum health, the connection provides another reason to maintain healthy gums. By keeping your mouth as free of bacteria as possible, you may be able to reduce your risk of RA or minimize pain and progression if you already have RA.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Reducing risk of cancer<\/h3>\n

Research doesn\u2019t show that gum disease causes cancer, but several studies have revealed a link between gum disease and some cancers.\u00a0<\/span>Harvard scientists found<\/span><\/a> that people with a history of gum disease were 43% more likely to be diagnosed with esophageal cancer and 52% more likely to suffer from stomach cancer than people who did not have gum disease.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Similarly, <\/span>men with gum disease are more likely to be diagnosed with three types of cancer <\/span><\/a>\u2014 kidney, pancreatic and blood cancers\u2014than those with healthy gums. <\/span>Another study<\/span><\/a> found that gum disease puts postmenopausal women at greater risk for some cancers.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

As research into the connection between oral health and cancer continues, the research so far suggests that maintaining a healthy mouth can be important in promoting overall health. And when it comes to gum health, resist the urge to skip flossing or avoid the dentist\u2014caring for your gums can help in caring for your whole body. <\/span>\u201cThe health of our teeth and gums can serve as a window to our overall health,\u201d Evanson says.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Ready to book a dentist’s appointment? Visit Zocdoc.<\/a><\/h1>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Your gums are surprisingly connected to your holistic health.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":45,"featured_media":19323,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[227],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-19322","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-guides","reviewer-dr-nassim-assefi","specialist_by_city-dentists"],"yoast_head":"\nHow to Take Better Care Of Your Gums - Guides<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Your gums are surprisingly connected to your holistic health.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zocdoc.com\/blog\/guides\/5-reasons-gum-health-is-so-important\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How to Take Better Care Of Your Gums - 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