03 Sep Can Gum Disease Kill You? Here’s What You Need to Know

What if we ask you this question, “Can gum disease kill you?”. Probably, you might say, of course not. Fault is not yours. When you think of gum disease, often a picture of swollen gums, bad breath, or a trip to the dentist pops into your mind. But have you ever thought that gum issues could mess up more than just your smile. What if they could put your life in danger? It’s a scary thought, but the truth is that untreated gum disease can harm your overall health. Though not directly, if not treated on time gum diseases in extreme cases can be fatal, or, in other words, gum disease kill you.

In this post, we’ll explain to you how this is possible. We will try to understand how gum disease can become a dangerous condition. Also, we shall learn its connection to other health issues and what you can do to protect yourself.

What Is A Gum Disease?

We are all aware of teeth cavities or tooth decay, but gum disease is a common yet often overlooked oral health issue. However, gum disease, in clinical terms, is also called periodontal disease (the most severe case). It is the infection of the tissues that hold up your teeth. It all starts with swollen gums and can afterwards move on to hurt the bones that keep your teeth in place. Naturally here, it might strike in your mind that “Can gum disease kill you?” . Well, we have the answer, but first understand how you get gum disease. 

How Do You Get A Gum Infection? 

Gum infection can be caused due to multiple reasons. The major reasons behind your bad gums could be:

• Not Maintaining Mouth Hygiene: To begin with gum disease starts when bacteria in the plaque build up on your teeth. If not brushed properly, this gunk can cause your gums to swell and bleed. 
• Untreated Infectious Gums: If the initial stage of minor gum infection is ignored it can lead to a more severe form of gum disease. In fact, it has the potential to be life-threatening in severe cases. 

Now to know can a gum disease kill you understand how severe it can get.

Understanding Severity of Gum Disease

To a layman, gum disease is just swollen gums and pain, but medically, it can be the start of something dangerous. Like all diseases, it also progresses slowly from mild to severe stages of disease. Ultimately, gum disease can kill you. But here is the catch: the earlier you detect it and treat it better, the better your chances are of recovering. However, it is paramount to recognize the disease at the earliest possible time and then treat it accordingly. 

2 Stages of Gum Infection

Gum disease spreads in two stages, starting from swollen gums to severe periodontitis. Have a look at the two main stages:

1. Gingivitis: This first stage makes your gums red, swollen, and prone to bleeding when you brush or floss. If your gums are not treated here and now, it will lead to an extreme infection or periodontitis. But good news is that gingivitis can be totally reversed. 
2. Periodontitis: This is the most painful stage to bear. Here you would really start asking yourself, “Can gum disease kill you?”. In this later stage, your gums pull away from your teeth, and the bone supporting your teeth starts to break down. If you don’t get treatment for periodontitis, you might lose teeth and your face. There are also chances of you being surrounded by other serious health problems.

Connection Between Gum Disease and Overall Health

Gum disease affects a large portion of the population, but only a few are aware how it can affect general body health. Interestingly, the concerns extend beyond oral health alone. Your gums health has an impact on your whole body. This connection, known as the oral-systemic link, means your mouth’s state affects your overall well-being. Let’s see the connection and understand: Does gum disease kill you?

Heart Disease

Gum disease Inflammation has a higher chance of heart disease and high blood pressure. But how? The inflammation in the gum sets off a bad reaction in the heart and blood vessels (cardiovascular system). This in turn increases the cholesterol and fat in the blood. These things can build up on the walls of arteries, creating plaque. As time goes on, this buildup can make blood vessels narrow and stiff. Doctors call this atherosclerosis. It can block the flow of blood. This not only raises blood pressure but also increases your chances of having a heart attack. So can gum disease kill you, or is it a heart attack ? Well, it is the untreated gum disease that can lead to heart attack.

Stroke

Can gum disease kill you by increasing your chances of stroke? Yes, people with gum problems had double the chance of experiencing a stroke .This isn’t something we are claiming, but are the findings stated at  American Stroke Association International Stroke Conference.  The inflammation from gum disease can spread to your brain, causing a stroke. This is because the inflammation can cause the large arteries in the brain to become harder. 

Diabetes

Can gum disease kill you if you are diabetic? Gum disease and diabetes have a two-way link. Diabetes increases your chances of getting infections like gum disease. At the same time, gum disease makes it harder to control blood sugar, which makes diabetes worse.

Lung Infections

Gum disease affects more than just the heart and blood sugar. It also has connections to lung diseases .Tiny saliva droplets can carry some bacteria  in dental plaque into the lungs. These bacteria can cause infection in the lungs. Gum disease can also intensify chronic inflammation in lung conditions like asthma and COPD. 

So can gum disease kill you should be understood in the larger context. It’s the overall ill effects on health that can be fatal.

Symptoms of Gum Infections and People Under Risk Of Infection 

There are several things that can increase your chances of developing gum disease. These include smoking, diabetes, a poor diet, stress, and certain genetic factors. You should be aware of the symptoms, which often include:

• Persistent bad breath
• Swollen or bleeding gums
• Discomfort while chewing
• Receding gums
• Loose teeth

Gum disease is quite widespread. However, the concerns extend beyond just oral health. So follow the underlying prevention tips and enjoy healthy gums.

Causes of Fatal Gum Infections You Should Know

The above infections are serious, but you might be curious about how can gum disease kill you. The explanation lies in the way untreated gum infections can develop into more serious health issues.

• Severe Infection (Sepsis): Sepsis occurs when your body fights an infection so hard that it causes inflammation in the whole body and eventually organ failure. When gum disease worsens without treatment, the bacteria in your mouth can enter your bloodstream and spread to other body parts. In some cases, this can result in sepsis, which threatens your life. 
• Impact on Immunocompromised Individuals: Gum disease has an influence baddly people with weak immune systems. If you ask,  Can gum disease kill you? The answer is a definite yes. This includes older adults, patients getting cancer treatment, and those with autoimmune conditions. For these groups, gum disease can worsen existing health issues. This can ultimately cause serious problems, or even death in some cases.

Prevention and Treatment of Gum Disease

The above facts might be frightening, but here’s some good news. Stop asking yourself, Can gum disease kill you  instead treat gum disease . Here’s how to protect yourself:

• Early Detection: Regular dental visits are your best defense. Dentists can spot gum disease and suggest the right treatments before it becomes a major issue.
• Good Oral Hygiene Practices: Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, floss, and use an antimicrobial mouthwash to prevent plaque buildup. Taking care of your mouth at home plays a crucial role in keeping gum disease at bay.
• Professional Treatments: If gum disease affects you, your dentist might suggest treatments to clean out plaque and tartar under the gum line. These treatments include scaling and root planing, which are thorough cleaning processes. In more serious cases, you may need surgery. Options include gum grafts or procedures to help bones grow back.
• Lifestyle Changes: To stop gum disease, you can make key changes in your life. These include quitting smoking, eating well, keeping your stress low, and taking care of diabetes if you have it. These changes don’t just help your mouth stay healthy; they boost your whole body’s health too.

Wrapping Up

To sum up, gum disease hurts more than your mouth, but it affects your whole body. If you don’t treat it, it can lead to serious infections and worsen existing health issues. So if you are asking again, Can gum disease kill you? Yes, in extreme cases. To prevent this, catch it and stop it from happening by brushing and flossing, visiting your dentist , and changing your lifestyle.

Your gums do more than help you smile; they’re a key part of your life. Don’t wait, but start taking care of your mouth today.

FAQ

1. Can gum disease kill you?

Ans. Yes, gum disease that goes untreated has an impact on your health. It might cause heart disease and stroke.

2. How does gum disease affect your overall health?

Ans. Gum disease causes inflammation in your body. This inflammation increases your risk of heart disease, stroke, and other serious health problems.

3. What are the warning signs of gum disease?

Ans. Gum disease shows itself through red, swollen, or bleeding gums. You might also notice bad breath that won’t go away and teeth that feel loose.

4. How can I keep gum disease from becoming deadly?

Ans. Taking care of your mouth by brushing and flossing often, seeing your dentist for check-ups, and living a healthy life can stop gum disease from turning into a big health problem.