Untreated Gum Disease and the Total Health Effect

Inflammation and infection are the hallmarks of gum disease and also the main causes of several serious ailments. As such, gum disease is linked to other health conditions, such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. Untreated gum disease can have a negative impact on your total health. Beyond causing tooth loss, gum disease can have a drastic affect on your health with a direct link to lowering your lifespan.

For example, if you are diabetic then gum disease can make controlling your blood sugar problematic. Moreover, untreated gum disease can increase your diabetes risk to begin with.

Another example, of the negative impact of gum disease on total health is heart disease. If you are already vulnerable for heart disease, then oral bacterial infections can heighten your cardiac risk.

The list of related conditions does not end with diabetes and heart disease. What is it gum disease that has a domino effect on other systems of the body? Periodontitis (advanced gum disease) is defined by an ongoing active infection. Any continual infection puts undue and constant stress on your body and immune system. Eventually, your body and immune system may not keep it and other health conditions arise.

What to Look Out For

Gingivitis is a term coined for the beginning stages of gum disease. Gum disease should be realized at this stage by bleeding gums and appropriate periodontal care should be sought at once. If not treated, then gingivitis progresses into periodontitis.