Gum Disease & Heart Health – Tappan, NY
Your Overall Wellness Matters
Gum disease does not only affect your oral health. Although inflammation and bleeding may start in your mouth's soft tissues, the infection can spread to other parts of your body, causing harmful side effects. In the 35 years that Dr. LaCap has spent treating patients, she has seen the effects on patients’ overall health. As a chronic inflammatory condition, gum disease can affect vital organs, including the heart and surrounding blood vessels.
Since pain is often not associated with gum disease, symptoms can remain untreated for years, allowing the infection to worsen and cause further damage. Once teeth become loose and gums become tender, likely, the disease is already in its advanced stages.
This is why it is crucial to understand the link between gum disease and heart health and how you can protect yourself.
How Gum Disease Affects the Body
Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is an inflammatory condition caused by bacterial accumulation below the gumline that targets the soft tissues in your mouth. When regular brushing and flossing are not maintained, and frequent professional cleanings are missed, the problem intensifies, triggering a serious inflammatory response that does not remain contained.
As a result, some of the following symptoms can occur:
- Your gums may begin to bleed and become inflamed
- Bacteria begin to enter your bloodstream
- Inflammation increases throughout your body
- Blood vessels surrounding your heart can become damaged and stressed
When inflammation develops in and around the heart, it is known as cardiovascular disease.
What the Research – and Clinical Experience – Show
Researchers have spent years studying the connection between gum disease and heart health. Large studies indicate that gum disease is closely tied to heart disease, stroke, and plaque buildup in the arteries (atherosclerosis).
In addition to research, clinical experience also holds significant weight, which is why Dr. LaCap often sees two different patterns among her patients:
- Those whose gum disease is identified in its earliest stages because of regular preventive care and periodontal maintenance. This allows the condition to remain under control.
- Those who do not seek professional care when symptoms arise and eventually discover they have advanced gum disease, which causes bone loss and overall health problems.
Why Bleeding Gums are a Medical Warning Sign
While you might think bleeding while brushing your teeth or flossing is “normal,” it is not. In fact, it is the most frequently overlooked symptom and indicates active inflammation. It is also the reason for gum recession and bacterial access to your bloodstream.
When considering how inflammation in the mouth relates to the heart, it’s easy to see why bleeding is a more serious cause for concern. It means there is increased inflammation throughout the body, so it’s important not to dismiss bleeding gums.
Understand Your Gum Disease Risk
Early vs. Advanced Gum Disease: Why Timing Matters
There are two different stages of gum disease: early and advanced. Symptoms of early gum disease include mild inflammation and little or no bone loss. If caught early, these symptoms can be reversed with regular professional care and improved at-home oral hygiene.
Advanced gum disease, or periodontitis, often leads to significant bone loss, gum recession, loose teeth, uncontrolled infection, and increased systemic inflammation.
When talking to patients, Dr. LaCap admits that one of the hardest aspects is relaying how early prevention could have prevented damage caused by advanced gum disease.
This is why regular visits to a dentist for periodontal evaluations and cleanings, even when there is no pain, are essential.