Here at Dentistry of Johns Creek, we make sure everyone in the family has a healthy mouth. June is National Men’s Health Month, and findings have indicated that men neglect their oral health more than women. Oral health is not restricted to just mouth and teeth conditions. Many oral health issues affect your systemic health too, which can include diabetes, heart disease, stroke and rheumatoid arthritis. An indication of links between oral health and your overall well-being are continually being discovered. Recent studies have connected a link between gum disease (periodontitis) and prostate inflammation (prostatitis), so oral health for men is becoming increasingly more important.
Gum Disease and Prostate Inflammation Explained
Periodontitis is a common but severe gum infection that disintegrates the soft tissue and bone that hold your teeth in place. Generally, the condition is a consequence of poor oral hygiene. Symptoms include inflamed, bleeding and sensitive gums, loose teeth, and bad breath. This condition can cause teeth to fall out and has been connected to an increase of the possibility of heart attack, stroke and other severe health issues.
Prostatitis is inflammation and enlargement of the prostate, a walnut-size gland connected to the male reproductive system. A specific cause is not responsible in most circumstances, although a bacterial infection is typically the perpetrator. Other sources of prostatitis can include immune system disorders, injury to the prostate area, or nervous system disorders.
What is the Relationship Between Gum Disease and Prostate Health?
An enzyme PSA (Prostate-specific antigen) is produced in the prostate that is typically discharged in tiny doses. The amount of PSA increases when the prostate becomes irritated, inflamed or infected. Studies have shown that men exhibiting the symptoms of both periodontal disease and prostatitis produced greater levels of PSA than men with one or the other of these maladies.
How Do I Reduce the Risk of Gum Disease?
It is critical to making sure that you have your teeth cleaned regularly and have your gums treated if indications of gum disease are present. Gum disease can cause other health conditions to worsen, so to protect your entire body health make a good oral hygiene maintenance program an integral part of your daily activities. Not only that, it can decrease your total health care bills. Dentistry of Johns Creek recommends:
Brush your teeth twice a day and floss once a day.
Schedule regular dental check-ups so Dr. Shackelford can inspect your teeth, plaque levels, and gums, and assess any risk factors you may have for periodontal disease.
Dr. Shackelford maintains that caring properly for your teeth helps preserve their appearance, function, and comfort at every stage of life, for everyone, not just during a special awareness month. To ensure that you are receiving the best preventative dental care possible, schedule an appointment at Dentistry of Johns Creek, providing the best quality and comforting dental experience to families in the Johns Creek, Alpharetta, Suwanee, Duluth and Cumming, GA area.
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