Overall health in relation to gum health: can gum disease kill you?

Many experts claim that oral health can give a clear indication of what the overall health of a person is like. This being said, can gum disease kill you? Gum disease can cause a variety of other oral health problems, bone loss and other health issues outside the mouth. If you are worried about this, you can seek help from a gum specialist.

What is gum disease?

Gum disease is an infection that would affect the bones and tissues that are in the mouth. If a person does not practice good oral habits, there is a higher chance of developing gum disease. Not being able to brush and floss at least twice a day will increase the risk of gum disease. The reason behind this is because gum disease would be caused by plaque and tartar that would build up on teeth. Bacteria would come and feast on the plaque and tartar because these would be made up of food particles. The bacteria are what would, later on, cause the infection.

Health problems related to gum disease

Many health problems may be caused by gum disease. Extensive research has been conducted that supports that gum disease that is not properly treated can cause heart disease, ulcers, strokes, and diabetic problems. Because of the bacteria that would grow on the tartar on teeth, gum disease has the potential to cause harm to other major parts of the body. 

How do I prevent gum disease?

Periodontal disease can be prevented by good oral habits.

Brushing and flossing. Brushing and flossing after every meal would be ideal, but then if you are unable to do this, simply gargling with water after a meal would get rid of most of the particles that are left on teeth after the meal. Brushing and flossing at least twice a day would be good enough to prevent plaque and tartar from building up on teeth.

Using an antibacterial mouthwash. Using a mouthwash before brushing would be a good preventing measure against bacteria in the mouth, Mouthwashes would work to kill any bacteria that would be in the mouth before brushing.

Visiting the dentist regularly. No matter how well you brush your teeth, it would still be a good idea to see your dentist periodically. This is done for the dentist in Plympton at Cross Road Dental to check if there are any oral problems and they can be able to treat them early.

Gum disease and death

As you have read, gum disease, if left untreated would cause many chronic diseases that would have an impact on a person’s overall health. These diseases may cause complications and even death if they are not treated by maintenance medicines. In essence, gum disease itself cannot cause death, at least not directly. But then it can be the cause of many illnesses that can potentially cause death to a person if they go unchecked. So, to answer the initial question of “Can gum disease kill you?”, no it cannot directly cause death, but then it can cause many complications that can.