How Gum Disease Can Impact Your Energy Levels

Gum disease is mainly caused by poor dental hygiene practices. When improper methods are used to clean your teeth and gums, bacteria can easily grow in your mouth.

These bacteria eat away at your teeth eventually causing tooth decay, and it can also infect your gums if exposed to open sores.

Effects of Gum Disease

Gum disease has many detrimental effects to your oral health, including tooth loss and gum infection. It can also cause the loss of jawbone density if left to progress. However, many people don’t know the other effects that gum disease can have. To the surprise of many, gum disease can actually lower your energy levels and make you more prone to non-oral related illnesses.

When the gums are infected, the infection starts in the blood of your gums. Over time, the blood is spread throughout your body and can negatively affect your organs. It has been shown that plaque buildup in the mouth can enter the bloodstream and cause blockages similar to those caused by eating foods high in fat. When your veins are blocked by plaque, you are more likely to experience coronary heart disease.

Diabetes is also related to gum disease. It has been shown people who experience gum disease are at a higher risk for diabetes. One of the symptoms of diabetes is a lack of energy due to fluctuations in blood sugar. Besides energy loss, diabetes can put you at risk for a whole host of other medical issues.

Finally, gum disease can affect your energy by making you more susceptible to sickness. When the gums become infected due to gum disease, the body must use extra resources to fight off the infection. This process leaves you with less defenses for fighting off illnesses coming from outside your body. If you have any more questions about gum disease, make a stop by our office or give us a call, and we’ll be happy to answer your questions.