5 Reasons to Keep Your Gums Healthy

Healthy Gums Means a Healthy Body

There is a popular saying that states “the mouth is the window to the body,” and when it comes to taking the best care of our teeth, this statement could not be truer. While we may think that the repercussions of poor oral health start and stop inside the mouth, the truth is that poor oral health can also have very negative effects on our overall general health as well. Here are five ways that poor oral health, specifically unhealthy gums, can negatively affect someone’s overall health.

Gum Health and Heart Health

Did you know that people who have gum disease are almost two times as likely to have heart issues, such as coronary artery disease, than those who do not have gum disease? When individuals have gum disease, it is possible for the bacteria from their mouths to get into the bloodstream and cause problems.

Gum Health and Stokes

There have been several studies conducted that examine the link between gum health, specifically mouth infections, and strokes. These studies have found that people who have strokes in the past are more likely to have gum disease and other gum issues and vice versa.

Gum Health and Lung Health

Bacterial infections that occur in the chest are thought to be a result of breathing in fine droplets from the mouth and throat into the lungs. This has the ability to cause infections like pneumonia or make a preexisting condition worse. Since those individuals who have gum disease have more bacteria in their mouths, they are much more likely to develop these bacterial lung infections.

Gum Health and Pregnant Mothers

Believe it or not, those mothers who have gum disease are almost three times as likely to have a premature baby or a baby with a low birth weight – there is an almost one in four chance that mothers with gum disease will give birth before the 35-week mark in their pregnancy. Professionals believe that the existence of gum disease increases the levels of chemicals in the body that cause labor.

Signs of Gum Disease

In order to avoid these serious risks to your health from gum disease, it is important to keep a good oral health routine and keep an eye out for some telltale signs of the condition. Some of these symptoms include:

• Inflamed, red or swollen gums
• Unpleasant mouth taste
• Loose teeth
• Bad breath
• Continuing mouth infections

If you are worried about gum disease, it may be time to visit your dentist. If you sign up for a New Hampshire discount dental plan like the Wellness Dental Plan, you can save as much as 20 percent off your dental bills. For more information, click here.

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