The evidence between your overall health and the health of your gums stacks up more and more each year. If you have a tendency toward other health issues to begin with or chronic pain, for example, gum pain can absolutely worsen things. The two are undoubtedly connected.
It Affects Your Blood Sugar
If you’re a diabetic or you have a family history of diabetes, gum disease makes everything worse. It actually negatively impacts your blood sugar levels and people who have both gum disease and diabetes are at a much greater risk for kidney disease. If you are diabetic, it’s doubly important to take great care of your gums to prevent health issues.
The Impact On The Brain
Gum disease can actually greatly impact what’s going on in your brain. It can spread infection in the body and there are studies that state that it can increase the chances that you’ll get Alzheimer’s. The mind, body, and gum disease connection is strong, especially when it comes to elderly adults. It’s extremely vital to make sure to continually maintain healthy gums.
It Shortens Your Lifespan
If you have gingivitis or periodontitis, you’re more likely to live a shorter life. In a recent study, people with these diseases were 23% to 46% more likely to die prematurely versus those who do not have them. By not taking care of your gums, you’re risking your life. It’s a big deal. On the bright side, if you take care of your gums, you’re extending your lifespan!
The Cancer Link
There is a lot of recent research linking gum disease to cancer. This includes breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, and esophageal cancer, which are very serious types of cancer that have various risk factors involved. Gum disease makes it so that you can’t properly fight bacteria so it weakens your immune system so by taking great care of your gums, you’re decreasing your chances of getting cancer.
Inflammation Causes A Slew Of Problems
The inflammation that is caused by gum disease affects your entire body. There’s no way around it. Having diseases of the gums affects how you feel physically and your overall ability to regulate your internal systems. Especially if you have arthritis, having gum disease makes that pain even worse because of the swelling that can happen. If you’re prone to arthritis you have to take extra care of your gums. It will help the pain.
