Regular exercise is widely known to help build strong bones and muscles, improve weight management, and increase the chance of living longer. Physical activity caries many hidden benefits; a variety of health risks are reduced with regular exercise including gingivitis and periodontitis. The link between gum disease and exercise in Lake Zurich may not be obvious at first glance.
What is Gum Disease?
It is important to know exactly what gum disease is to fully understand how certain factors can promote the condition or prevent it. Gum disease occurs when plaque is allowed to build up on the teeth and gums due to poor oral hygiene. If the plaque is not removed, bacteria will eventually infect the gum tissues, causing redness, swelling, and bleeding gums. Early gum disease is called gingivitis while advanced gum disease is known as periodontitis. It is during the later stages that the worst effects occur, such as tooth loss. Untreated gum disease has been linked to heart problems and other health issues.
How Does Exercise Protect the Gums?
Studies have shown that those who exercise on a regular basis are 54% less likely to develop gum disease. In fact, physical activity seems to help reduce inflammation all throughout the body. This is because exercise causes special hormones to be released into the bloodstream and trigger the adrenergic receptors in the immune cells. This encourages the production of certain proteins including tumor necrosis factor (TNF). TNF helps the body mount attacks against invading bacteria and viruses and heal damaged tissues. By reducing bacteria and viruses, in the gums, a person can more effectively protect themselves against gum disease.
Regular exercise can benefit oral health in other ways as well. The increased blood flow resulting from physical activity helps improve digestion and allows the body to absorb vitamins and minerals more effectively. This helps improve overall resistance to infection thus making gum disease less likely to occur in general. As an added benefit, digested vitamins and minerals help strengthen the teeth and protect them from decay.
How Else Can Gum Health Be Improved?
In addition to exercising regularly, there are other steps one can take to keep the gums healthy. For one, Brushing and flossing twice daily helps remove plaque before it can harden in place and become tartar. Toothpastes that contain fluoride are particularly effective in safeguarding oral health. Also, sugary foods and beverages should be consumed in moderation. And finally, professional dental check-ups and cleanings in Lake Zurich should be performed regularly so gum disease can be identified as early as possible.
Taking care of the mouth often means taking care of the entire body, and vice versa. Patients who have concerns about their own risk for gum disease should talk to their dentist about potential lifestyle changes including increased physical activity.
About the Practice
At Grand Dental – Lake Zurich, patients can benefit from having access to a variety of general dentists and specialists under one roof. We have an in-house periodontist who has years of experience in diagnosing and treating gum disease. We are well-equipped to handle advanced periodontitis as well as comparatively mild gingivitis. If you would like to schedule a periodontal appointment, visit our website or call (847) 438-8136.