International Health Day falls on April 7, and while a lot of people focus on heart disease and diabetes, considering your dental health is just as important. Our dentist at Steadman Family Dentistry in Richmond, VA, want you to know that gum disease is another serious risk to your health that needs regular tests and care.
What Is Gum Disease?
Gum disease also called periodontitis happens when you grow an inflammation inside your gums. It often shows up on the teeth and bleeding gums through a buildup. If left untreated, periodontitis may result in a receding line of the gum, exposing the teeth’s roots and resulting in serious sensitivity to hot and cold drinks and food.In advanced cases, it can even end in losing one or more teeth entirely.
How Is It Related to Other Health Issues?
International Health Day is the perfect time to schedule a check-up with your periodontist because gum disease is in fact directly related to overall health and well-being. In fact, a relationship between periodontitis and stroke, heart disease, diabetes and obesity appears to exist somewhat.
That doesn’t mean you’re going to develop these problems if you don’t brush your teeth–there are many different factors that contribute to the development of those diseases. The argument is that dental care has to do with overall health–so taking good care of your teeth and avoiding gum disease can help reduce the risk of experiencing other serious health problems.
What Can You Do To Protect Yourself?
By employing proper brushing and flossing habits twice a day you can lower your risk of developing gum disease. But even regular brushing and flossing doesn’t mean that periodontitis won’t develop.
In addition, you should visit your periodontist twice a year to monitor your gums and teeth health. Regular screening is vital to prevent further gum disease and other dental problems.
Contact our offices located in Richmond, VA to schedule an appointment to speak to our dentist to learn more about the other services that we offer at Steadman Family Dentistry.
