What You Need to Know About Oral Inflammation and Periodontal Disease

gingivitisInflammation is your body’s normal way of healing itself after injury or infection. It is a natural process that lets your defense cells enter the site of injury or infection and allow for healing to occur. However, if the inflammation process goes on for a period of time it causes tissue damage. This is the case in long-term, chronic diseases such as arthritis. Oral inflammation can also lead to periodontal disease and eventually, tooth loss.

Why is oral inflammation important to my general health?

The mouth may contribute to your body’s overall amount of inflammation. Your mouth is home to many different types of bacteria. Many of these types of bacteria are harmless but some cause cavities, and others cause inflammation of the gums or gingivitis. When the bacteria get out of control, it results in red, swollen, puffy and tender gums, which may point to periodontal disease. A common sign of gingivitis is gums that bleed easily when you brush or floss.

Your mouth is directly related to the body by the bloodstream. This means that when you have inflammation in the mouth it affects your overall health or parts of the body. Studies have shown that oral inflammation may be linked to problems in other parts of the body. Some of these problems are heart disease, diabetes, arthritis and periodontal disease.

If you are concerned about inflammation in your mouth or think you may have periodontal disease, contact your dentist or periodontist immediately.