Sometimes when we brush our teeth, we notice our gum bleeds. Often we would perceive this as a small problem and we would ignore it. We think that it will eventually go away.
However, bleeding gum can be a warning sign. The gum bleeds because there could be some infection within the gum. And these infection is called periodontitis. Periodontitis can be caused by poor immune system, lack of proper oral hygiene, pregnancy and uncontrolled diabetes.
Proper oral hygiene can decrease the effect of periodontitis. Proper oral health can also improve the oversall systemic health. For example, recent research studies indicate that there is a relationship between diabetes and perioddontitis. Controlling the diabetes can help controlling the disease progress of periodontitis. And vice versa: keep the mouth and gum healthy can help decrease the disease progress of diabetes. As a family dentist, I have the priviledge of seeing patient in regular routine checkup intervals and be able to monitor their dental and periodontal status of my patients.
If the periodontitis is left untreated, it can progress to toothache, tooth looseng and tooth loss. Overall health can be affected also because untreated periodontitis can affect the diabetes and the heart.
Written by Daniel Tee, DDS, MS
Practicing Family Dentist Serving the city of Tempe, Chandler, Phoenix, Gilbert, and Mesa in Arizona.
