Lake Forest, Lake Bluff IL
According to the American Heart Association, nearly half of all adults in the United States have high blood pressure. Without treatment, high blood pressure can wreak havoc on your circulatory system, raising your risk of heart attack, stroke, and other potential threats to your health. High blood pressure can occur from causes such as age, family history, being overweight, or using tobacco. However, did you know that the culprit of high blood pressure also might be found in your mouth? In this article, we will take a look at how gum disease could lead to high blood pressure and how the team at Lake Forest Smiles can help.
The Relationship Between Gum Disease and High Blood Pressure
Like high blood pressure, gum disease is quite common. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that nearly 50% of American adults over the age of 30 have some form of gum disease. The advanced stage of gum disease is known as periodontitis. By this point, gum disease has done permanent damage to your oral health. Periodontitis attacks the gum tissues that hold your teeth in place, as bacteria collect underneath your gums, forming pockets that deepen. Eventually, periodontitis erodes the jawbone and leads to loose teeth or tooth loss.
A recent study published earlier this year in Hypertension reported that patients with gum disease often had high blood pressure as well. This proved especially true for patients who were experiencing bleeding gums. The study entailed 250 adults, all of whom had generalized, severe periodontitis—defined as having at least 50% of their teeth impacted by gum infection. Study participants underwent thorough periodontal exams that measured the extent of their gum disease, with evaluated factors including dental plaque, bleeding gums, and the depth of the infected gum pockets.
Their findings? Individuals with gum disease had a higher likelihood of being diagnosed with hypertension. While there is not enough data to determine a direct link between gum disease and hypertension, we do know that the bacteria from periodontal disease can do irreparable damage to your gums, triggering inflammatory responses throughout the body. This is why it’s vital that, if you have gum disease, you receive treatment from a qualified medical professional.
Gum Disease Treatment in Lake Forest
The risks of gum disease are real. Individuals with gum disease face an elevated risk of heart disease and other chronic or systemic ailments, including diabetes. Now, we could potentially add high blood pressure to that list.
The dentists at Lake Forest Smiles can help. At Lake Forest Smiles, we offer a comprehensive regimen of treatments to help patients suffering from gum disease in Lake Forest, Lake Bluff, and Lincolnshire in Illinois. We provide several methods to treat your gum disease, including repetitive therapy, laser therapy, Perio Protect, and Arestin. Remember that professional treatment is needed to stop the progression of gum disease. And if you can act quickly and treat gum disease in its initial stage, you can avoid permanently damaging your oral health.
Take the next step to treat your gum disease. Schedule a consultation at Lake Forest Smiles today by going online or calling (847) 234-4800.