Inflamed, Contagious, and Gross: Some Interesting Facts About Gum Disease

While gum disease begins with mild inflammation that might go unnoticed for a while, if left untreated it will progress to a far nastier condition with unfortunate long-term consequences. Though these oral health concerns are quite unpleasant to deal with, knowing more about them can help you know how to avoid them. Since September is Gum Care Month, here are some interesting facts about gum disease from your dentist to help you understand exactly why you should take such good care of your oral health.

You Can Spread Gum Disease to Other People

People might not typically think that gum disease can be contagious, but it can be spread from one person to the other without the proper precautions. Gum disease can be transmitted through oral contact like kissing or mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. You can also give your friends the gift of gingivitis by sharing beverages or double-dipping in a shared bowl. This means that proper oral hygiene isn’t just to protect you; it’s actually a courtesy to your loved ones, friends, and lifeguards.

Gum Disease Can Spread to Other Parts of Your Body

Gum disease starts with inflammation called gingivitis, and it will advance to the more severe stage of periodontitis if left untreated. Periodontitis can cause receding gums, deterioration of the jawbone, and tooth loss, but this infection doesn’t always stop with your oral tissues.

Since the gums are located directly in the path of the airway, the infection has easy access to the windpipe and lungs. In fact, people with gum disease have higher rates of pneumonia than the general population. The bacteria that cause gum disease can also spread to other parts of your body through the circulatory system, where they can cause potentially life-threatening secondary infections like sepsis. These bacteria in the bloodstream may contribute to the development of plaque in the blood vessels, causing strain on the heart and leading to the development of cardiovascular disease.

Gum Disease and Diabetes Can Work Together to Drag You Down

Chronic gum disease puts a constant strain on your immune system as the body tries to fight back. This struggle can distress the endocrine system, leading to the development of or aggravating an existing case of diabetes. To make matters worse, diabetes reduces the body’s ability to fight infection, making a patient more likely to develop and have a harder time fighting gum disease. Having both of these conditions can become a brutal cycle of either making the other worse.

Your gums work hard at keeping your teeth safe and healthy, and they deserve to be taken care of. The good news is that gum disease can almost always be prevented by proper oral hygiene and regular dental appointments. Keeping up with your dentist’s instructions is the best way to keep your gums disease-free.

About the Author

Dr. Bob Heil earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery at the University of Minnesota before undergoing a General Practice Residency at the Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis. He serves as a proud member of the American Dental Association, the Wisconsin Dental Association, and the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine. Areas of expertise include general, pediatric, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry in addition to periodontal treatments. For more information on gum disease and how it can be prevented, contact his Oshkosh, WI office online or dial (920) 235-0320.