Ask The Oral Surgeon In Chicago: Periodontal (gum) Disease And The Mouth-body Link, Part 4

By Author: Mikes Johnson
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In our previous three article posts, we took a sweeping look at the link between periodontal or gum disease and the development of debilitating and potentially fatal diseases and conditions that affect the rest of the body. In this, the final installment of our four-part series, this dual-degreed oral surgeon in Chicago Loop will conclude by discussing how oral bacterial infection, in particular, periodontitis, can readily be avoided. By removing impacted wisdom teeth, simply maintaining a rigorous home oral hygiene routine and going for regular dental check-ups, you can protect the health and longevity of both your smile and your body.

Ask the Oral Surgeon in Chicago Loop: Understanding the Risks of Poor Oral Hygiene

Most people understand the importance of good oral hygiene – it is something that should be taught in the home and reinforced at school. However, this understanding clearly isn’t reflected in the statistics. According to the ...
... American Academy of Periodontology, a staggering 80% of Americans present with some form or stage of oral bacterial infection. This, according to the oral surgeon in Chicago Loop, can range from a mild infection of the gums (gingivitis) or one that is chronic around an impacted wisdom tooth or has caused multiple tooth loss.

But, just how can so many people suffer from such a condition and not know about it? Surely, there are some obvious signs if your health is under such duress! This is precisely the problem with an oral bacterial infection, says the oral surgeon in Chicago Loop. Because periodontal disease doesn’t cause any pain or discomfort in the beginning stages, its initial symptoms can be quite easy to ignore. Many patients live with impacted teeth causing inflamed and swollen gums, bad breath and gums that bleed when brushing for years. It’s only when oral lesions, severe tooth discoloration, tooth pain and tooth loss set in that most patients realize they have a problem that requires the attention of the oral surgeon in Chicago Loop! Couple this unawareness with the busy schedule of the average patient and you have a recipe for seriously compromised health!

Ask the Oral Surgeon in Chicago Loop: Avoiding Periodontal Disease

At any given moment, our mouth is teeming with hundreds of different kinds of bacteria. Only 15 of these species are actually harmful and can cause gum disease, which makes avoiding this affliction and the myriad of terrible diseases it is associated with – diabetes, heart disease, osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s and respiratory disease – really quite simple, says the dual-degreed oral surgeon in Chicago Loop. All it takes is less than five minutes every morning and evening:

Brush your teeth thoroughly for two minutes at a time, at least twice a day.
Floss your teeth at least once a day and definitely before you go to bed at night.
Gargle with an anti-bacterial mouthwash during the day if you don’t have access to a toothbrush; especially if you have a family history of diabetes or gum disease.
Don’t smoke! Tobacco use is a leading cause of periodontal disease, says the oral surgeon in Chicago Loop.
Have those pesky impacted wisdom teeth removed before they cause serious issues that can’t be reversed.

And last, but certainly not least; make regular appointments for oral cancer screening and HPV screening with this dual-degreed oral surgeon in Chicago Loop. Preventative healthcare is the key to a beautiful and healthy smile and body!