Periodontal Disease Affects More Than Just Your Mouth
Periodontal disease, or gum disease, can become progressively worse over time, threatening your overall oral health. But many people don’t realize that periodontal disease affects more than just your mouth. If you’re worried you’re showing early warning signs of periodontal disease, there are many reasons for you to get a dental exam sooner rather than later.
Lungs and Respiratory System
While periodontal disease doesn’t outright cause lung problems and respiratory diseases, it can complicate or contribute to them. When you have advanced periodontal disease, your body spends a lot of energy and resources fighting it. This ties up resources your body depends on to attack common illnesses. Your body’s ability to fight off illnesses like bronchitis, pneumonia, and COPD can become limited or compromised.
Heart and Circulation
Untreated infections can spread throughout the body through your bloodstream, eventually affecting your heart and circulatory system. This is an especially big risk with oral infections like periodontal disease. Once the infection spreads, you may be at greater risk of blood clots, a heart attack, or a stroke. An infection like periodontal disease can also slow down your body’s circulatory system, putting you at risk of other serious health complications.
Pregnancy and Fertility
Untreated periodontal disease can exhaust your body, making it harder to conceive. If you are already pregnant, your body’s energy and resources will be tied up fighting infection and illness in your mouth, rather than taking care of your fetus. Pregnant women with untreated gum disease are more likely to have complications during pregnancy, deliver prematurely, and/or give birth to babies with low birth weight.
Contact Us at West Georgia Family Dentistry Today for Periodontal Treatment
The sooner you seek treatment for periodontal disease, the more likely it is that you will fully recover with no complications or side effects. If you’re concerned you have periodontal disease and are looking for a dentist in Douglasville, come see us at West Georgia Family Dentistry. Our dentists and dental team have years of experience diagnosing and treating gum disease in all stages.
Please contact our Douglasville office at (770) 949-1680 or our Bremen office at (770) 537-9656 to schedule an appointment.
Posted In:
Dentist
Dental Exam
Periodontal Therapy
Periodontal Disease
