Oral-systemic health links your oral wellness with the overall wellbeing of your body. There have been numerous studies on a variety of health conditions. Many have offered compelling evidence that infections and bacteria in the mouth can lead to such problems as heart disease, strokes, Alzheimer’s Disease, and diabetes. One research study on the oral-systemic connection performed by the British Dental Health Foundation even linked gum disease to pancreatic cancer.

Gum Disease and Overall Health Conditions

Gum disease (clinically termed periodontal disease) is a bacterial infection of your gingival tissues. There are multiple stages of gum disease from gingivitis (early) to periodontitis (severe). Once you have gum disease, there is no cure, but it can be treated and halted before it gets worse. Left alone, gum disease is the biggest cause of tooth loss. Compelling to those interested in oral-systemic health is that the same   bacteria that are implicated in periodontal disease have also been found in the arteries of patients with cardiovascular disease, the brains of patients with Alzheimer’s disease, and the knees of people with arthritis. Regular dental cleanings can certainly offer you a leg up in keeping gum disease at bay, and hopefully having a longer and healthier life.

TMJ and Teeth Grinding

Beyond life-threatening disease like the above-mentioned, there are less serious oral-systemic ailments that can lower your quality of life. Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) develops as a result of misalignment in your jaw joints. The condition can go hand-in-hand with bruxism (teeth grinding) which is also connected to stress. Grinding your teeth persistently can lead to wear and tear on your teeth that might end up in tooth decay, cracks, chips, breaks, or other dental health conditions. Dr. Burds can treat TMD and bruxism along with other dental health conditions.

Visit your Des Moines Dentist

Call Gateway Dental Group today at (515) 244-9565. Dr. Burds serves patients in Sherman Hill, River Bend, Kirkwood Glen, East Village, and the communities surrounding Des Moines.