The Secondary Consequences of Gum Disease

While easily preventable, periodontal disease affects countless adults annually, making it one of the most common oral conditions. When left untreated, this condition can begin to have domino effect-like consequences on other parts of the body, jeopardizing a person’s overall health. Some of these consequences include:

Heart Disease – As the gums are highly vascular, research suggests that bacteria can easily enter into the bloodstream, triggering inflammation of other organs, including the heart. Additionally, gum disease can also exacerbate existing cardiac issues. As a result, consulting with your physician prior to receiving gum disease care can ensure you remain healthy throughout treatment.

Stroke – Similar to heart disease, studies have indicated the existence of a link between gum disease and stroke. In regards to the stroke and gum disease relationship, bacteria may cause the carotid arteries to become thicker, preventing sufficient blood from flowing to the brain, thus increasing the likelihood of a stroke.

Diabetes – As severe periodontitis can increase blood sugar, gum disease can also make it more difficult for diabetic patients to control their blood sugar, putting them at a higher risk of diabetes related complications. Gum disease is also considered a side effect of diabetes, as these individuals are often more susceptible to other diseases.

Respiratory Illness – Recent studies have also indicated a link between upper respiratory conditions and periodontal disease, highlighting the fact that gum disease-causing bacteria are inhaled into the respiratory tract. This can lead to an increased risk of developing pneumonia, acute bronchitis, and COPD. As these conditions can be particularly devastating for immune-compromised patients, this discovery is particularly important for emphasizing the relationship between the health of the dentition and the patient’s overall health.

Osteoporosis – If left untreated, periodontal disease can cause bone deterioration in the jaw, compromising the integrity of the face and stability of the teeth in the arch. For patients with osteoporosis, periodontal disease can lead to accelerated bone and tooth loss, limiting the function of the dentition.

High-Risk Pregnancies – Hormonal change can significantly influence the development of gum disease. For expectant mothers, periodontal disease can lead to the likelihood of high-risk pregnancy, causing premature birth and low birth weight.

In Puyallup, Dr. Ngo and his team are committed to helping patients maintain healthy smiles and consistent overall health. If you are exhibiting signs or symptoms of gum disease, contact our Puyallup dentist today to schedule your next appointment. 

Seeking the Right Restorations

When it comes to determining the best solution for restoring your smile post-trauma, decay, or extraction, patients often find themselves considering a broad spectrum of factors such as cost, recovery, and long-term function. While it may be tempting to select treatment based on which is least expensive, it is important to consider the long-term health implications that less comprehensive treatments may have on a patient’s overall oral health and function. With this in mind, patients should consider the following when picking their restorative treatments:

Function

While some restorations may provide adequate function, patients should be looking for a restorative treatment that closely mimics their natural teeth. For example, dental implants and implant-supported restorations are designed to function precisely like natural teeth, providing individuals with a comfortable prosthetic tooth that is highly resilient and able to withstand routine wear and tear. With dental implants, patients are able to once again enjoy long term oral function.

Aesthetics

While minimal restorations are often able to enhance the natural beauty of the smile, extensive damage can often require less-aesthetically driven restorations. As a result, patients with full or partial dentures may find themselves unsatisfied with the bulky look and feel of their prosthetic. In contrast, dental implant restorations are uniquely matched to the natural teeth, providing patients with a seamless, natural looking smile.

Health

To provide the most functional benefit to patients, conventional restorations such as bridges, dentures, and partials are supported by surrounding oral structures such as neighboring teeth and gums. This can compromise the long-term health and function of these oral components, potentially leading to more extensive dental issues in the future.

In comparison, dental implants are surgically embedded into the jaw bone, eliminating the need to alter the neighboring teeth. The surgical placement of implants also has the added benefit of incorporating the jaw bone into treatment. Not only does this provide a sturdy foundation for the future restoration, but it also encourages improve bone health, thereby preventing additional bone deterioration and tooth loss.

Cost

Initially, conventional restorations may seem to be less expensive. However, the long term maintenance and replacement costs can quickly add up, making these treatment options consistently more expensive. While dental implants may require greater initial investment, the health and functional benefits of this treatment often provide patients with a greater return on their oral health investment.

At Mark T. Ngo, DDS, our Puyallup dental team is committed to providing patients with the best solution for their oral health needs. For patients considering long term restorative solutions, Dr. Ngo works with leading local oral surgeons to place and restore dental implants. For more information, contact our Puyallup dentist today.