These 3 Unexpected Dangers of Gum Disease (Will Make You Want to Go Brush Your Teeth)

The AHA! Team — Mon, 19 May 2025 05:34:15 +0000

Sara Middleton via NaturalHealth365 – According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly half of all adults have at least some degree of gum disease. Also called periodontal disease, gum disease is caused by the build-up of a sticky substance called plaque on the teeth. Simply put, plaque is ground zero for bacteria – which can irritate and inflame your gums. You may have heard a rumor that having bad teeth and gums is associated with heart disease. Unfortunately, that’s not even the whole picture. It turns out that poor oral health is also linked with many other life-altering (and sometimes life-threatening) conditions. Having gum disease is more dangerous than most people think Gum disease is a frustrating and painful enough condition on its own. Common signs and symptoms include bloody, red, painful, and swollen gums, bad breath, tooth sensitivity, and pain with chewing. But research shows that gum disease has also been associated with erectile dysfunction, respiratory problems, and the following serious health concerns: Heart disease A major theory explaining why poor oral health is correlated with heart disease – the number one killer in the United States – is that inflammation in damaged and infected gums can set off a cascade of inflammation throughout the body, including the cardiovascular system. Another theory is that bacteria from the mouth can leech into the bloodstream via infected teeth and gums, leading to infections within the heart. A 2017 study published in the Journal of Oral Microbiology found that P. gingivalis, a type of bacteria commonly found in the mouth, is the most common bacteria in the arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle! Cancer The link between inflammation and chronic health disease is too strong to ignore. Gum disease, which is associated with inflammation, offers another plausible explanation for why research shows poor oral health is associated with a significantly increased cancer risk. Another possible explanation supported by science is that bacteria in the mouth can produce enzymes that promote tumor and cancer cell growth. Cognitive impairment Studies have shown that the more teeth you lose, the greater your risk for cognitive decline as you age. Research has also shown that bacteria commonly found in the mouth can also be found in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s disease, suggesting a possible correlation between poor oral health and this life-threatening neurodegenerative disorder. A few quick tips for improving oral health – and overall health and longevity Take care of your teeth – you’ll regret it if you don’t! Keep your dentist’s advice in mind by practicing these good oral health habits: Brush your teeth at least twice daily, ideally after each meal. Brush your teeth for at least two minutes using gentle motions – away from the gum tissue. Floss daily. Get your teeth checked at least once (or more) per year – depending on your health status. Avoid consuming foods and beverages with a lot of sugar – bacteria love sugar as much as humans do. Use a Hydro Floss® Oral Irrigator, on a regular basis. Editor’s note: To learn more about the dangers of poor oral health and (more importantly) how to protect your health, own the Holistic Oral Health Summit created by NaturalHealth365 Programs. Sources for this article include: NIH.gov MedicalNewsToday.com CDC.gov NIH.gov NIH.gov NIH.gov Wiley.com To read the original article click here.

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This Unexpected Physical Problem Could Mean You’re Lacking Vitamin C in Your Diet

AHA Publisher — Thu, 18 Feb 2021 08:00:45 +0000

Sara Middleton via NaturalHealth365 – If your gums bleed, you could be in the early stages of gingivitis, an inflammatory condition caused by a build-up of bacteria and plaque inside the mouth. But a study just published in Nutrition Reviews suggests that poor dental habits and oral bacteria might not be the only explanation for bleeding gums. Incredibly, a vitamin deficiency — vitamin C deficiency, to be exact — could be to blame. New Research Suggests Low Levels of Vitamin C in the Blood May Be at the Root of This Common Oral Health Problem The authors of the breaking study, titled “Bleeding tendency and ascorbic acid requirements: systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials,” assessed 15 clinical trials from six countries, representing 1,140 people. The researchers also collected and analyzed data of over 8,200 Americans from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Based on their analysis, the researchers concluded that people who experienced bleeding of their gums and even bleeding in the eye (retinal hemorrhage), were more likely to have low levels of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) in their blood. Furthermore, increasing vitamin C intake seemed to help reduce the bleeding problems! The link between gum health and vitamin C isn’t a brand new discovery. Swollen, bleeding, and discolored gums is one of the most well-recognized signs of scurvy, a potentially fatal disease caused by very low levels of vitamin C. But this new data suggests that “setting human [vitamin C] requirements based on scurvy prevention leads to [vitamin C] plasma levels that may be too low to prevent an increased gingival bleeding tendency,” according to the study authors. In other words, just because we can get enough vitamin C to avoid scurvy doesn’t necessarily mean we’re getting enough vitamin C for optimal health. How Much of This Vitamin Do You Need? Here’s a Quick Primer (and Sample Shopping List) If you experience bleeding gums (or if you ever notice that your sputum or toothpaste has a pinkish tint to it), it could be time to visit the dentist or doctor for a check-up. Bleeding gums are also a good reminder to improve your oral hygiene habits (e.g., twice-daily brushing and flossing, avoiding sugary foods and beverages, etc.). But you should also take a look at your diet and ensure you’re eating plenty of vitamin C rich foods. If low vitamin C levels are leading to bleeding gums, then no amount of flossing and brushing will fully resolve the underlying cause of your gum issues. According to Mayo Clinic, the recommended daily amount for a typical adult is between 65 and 90 milligrams (or up to 120 mg for lactating women), while the upper limit is 2,000 mg per day. Other than using a supplement, you can easily hit your recommended amount by adding more of these foods to your diet: Sweet red pepper (half a cup has 95 mg) Strawberries (half a cup has 49 mg) Grapefruit (half of one has 39 mg) Kiwifruit (1 has 64 mg) Brussels sprouts (half a cup has 48 mg) By the way, in case you needed another reason to quit smoking: the National Institutes of Health say research consistently shows that smokers have lower plasma levels of vitamin C because of smoking-induced oxidative stress. For this reason, smokers should consume about 35 mg more than nonsmokers (or better yet, quit smoking altogether). Sources for this article include: Washington.edu StudyFinds.org Academic.oup.com NIH.gov VIC.gov.au To read the original article click here. For more articles from NaturalHealth365 click here.

The post This Unexpected Physical Problem Could Mean You’re Lacking Vitamin C in Your Diet appeared first on Amazing Health Advances.

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These 3 Unexpected Dangers of Gum Disease (Will Make You Want to Go Brush Your Teeth)

This Unexpected Physical Problem Could Mean You’re Lacking Vitamin C in Your Diet