Medical Consequences of Gum Disease
Gum disease affects more than the gums and the teeth. Research has shown that gum disease and heart disease are highly correlated. The number one cause of death in the country is heart disease. Gum disease is a contributing factor to heart disease, heart attacks, and stroke. People with gum disease are twice as likely to develop heart disease than those with healthy gums.
Since gum disease is an infection of the gums, the immune system spends some of its resources trying to fight it. This extra strain on the immune system makes you more susceptible to other ailments and diseases since your body’s defense mechanism is already fighting another battle.
Furthermore, when someone develops heart disease they are given certain medications and health regimens to follow to keep their heart disease under control. One of these health protocols is to keep the gums free of gum disease! And if the patient is still unable to keep their gums healthy, they put themselves at increased risk of dying from their heart disease. That is because gum disease adds an extra workload for the body’s immune system.
Gum Disease, Diabetes, and Tooth Loss
Gum disease is a chronic inflammatory disease. While the body’s inflammatory response is vital for acute healing (e.g., cuts and bruises), it becomes destructive when permanently active. Chronic oral inflammation makes blood sugar regulation significantly more challenging for all individuals. This difficulty in regulating blood glucose levels plays a central role in diabetes. Consequently, active diabetes triggers a reciprocal inflammatory response, causing periodontal infections to progress much more rapidly. Diabetic patients with untreated infections face a severely weakened immune system, often leading to premature tooth loss at a fairly young age.
Gum Diseases and Pregnancy Complications
A 2023 study showed that pregnant women with untreated gum disease are more likely to develop complications with their pregnancy such as premature births and low birth weight. Oftentimes, the micro-organisms responsible for gum disease are circulating in the blood and cross into the unborn baby’s blood system as well. This means the baby is born with the bacteria responsible for gum disease. Babies born before full term have a higher incidence of brain injury, hearing, and eyesight problems.
Gum Disease and Rheumatic Diseases
Rheumatic diseases can attack various parts of the body, including joints, connective tissues, and specific organs. Over 6 million Americans suffer from chronic conditions such as gout, rheumatoid arthritis, and irritable bowel disease. These systemic inflammatory disorders are closely linked to advanced gum disease by a shared, continuous inflammatory response. Studies show that individuals with rheumatic conditions are statistically more prone to periodontal issues, and active oral bacteria further amplify systemic inflammation, worsening overall wellness.
Gum Disease and Respiratory Disease
Periodontal infections can also compromise your respiratory system. As the size of bacterial colonies beneath the gumline multiplies, harmful organisms can become airborne inside the oral cavity during breathing and speaking. These bacteria travel directly down the airways and into the lungs, significantly increasing the clinical risk of developing emphysema, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pneumonia, and bronchitis.
Gum Disease – Cancer – Alzheimer’s
Gum disease may have an impact on development of the different types of cancer. For example, men with periodontal disease are at a higher risk of having kidney cancer, pancreatic cancer and some blood cancers. Another example of gum disease having significant health consequences is the association between gum disease and Alzheimer’s disease. Gum disease causes release of toxins and bacteria into the blood stream. This event causes our body to deploy a defensive response. This response through formation of a specific protein is a key indicator of Alzheimer’s disease. In a 2020 study by the NIH, gum disease was linked to development of Alzheimer’s. A 2024 study points to observable changes as seen on the MRI of patients with gum disease.
Protect Your Systemic Health Today
The bacteria responsible for these serious medical conditions do not stay localized in your mouth. If your gums are showing signs of infection, do not wait until it begins impacting your overall bodily health. Explore our complete guide on identifying gum disease symptoms San Marcos to catch problems early, or read about our non-surgical treatment options on our specialized periodontal therapy service page.
Gum Disease & Systemic Health FAQ
A: Yes. The bacteria that multiply in diseased gum tissue do not remain in your mouth. They enter your bloodstream through inflamed, bleeding gums and travel throughout your body. Once in your cardiovascular system, these bacteria cause arterial irritation and contribute to systemic inflammation, which research shows can double your risk for heart attacks and stroke.
A: Gum disease and diabetes share a dangerous, two-way relationship fueled by chronic inflammation. Active gum disease causes a continuous inflammatory response that makes blood sugar regulation significantly more challenging. Conversely, unmanaged blood glucose levels weaken your body’s immune response, causing periodontal infections to progress much more rapidly and frequently resulting in early tooth loss.
A: Yes. As bacterial colonies beneath the gumline grow, harmful microorganisms can become airborne inside your oral cavity. When you breathe, these bacteria are easily inhaled down into your airways and lungs. This bacterial migration can cause severe irritation and significantly increases your risk for respiratory illnesses like pneumonia, bronchitis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
