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Health & Fitness

Gum Disease Can Kill More Than Your Smile


Wednesday, March 5, 2014

My Gums Have Always Bled- Isn't That OK?More and more scientists are finding links between gum diseaseand bacteria that are able to move within the bloodstream and can go anywhere!  The placenta is an immuno-suppressed organ compared to other organs like the liver and spleen and bacteria can colonize easily in the placenta.  For the first time scientists can link bacteria from a mother's gums to an infection in a baby that was full term, but was born stillborn.  Obviously this is a rare occurrence- but even gingivitis is an infection and can lead to full blown gum disease.  The bleeding it causes can move thoughout the body and is a known link to premature babies, diabetes, heart attacks ,strokes, rheumatoid arthritis, and alzhiemers.  The mouth is an opening to the whole body- the bacteria can go everywhere.  The human body has a way to protect itself from bacterial infections-but if it is overwhelmed the consequences can be scary!  If you are expecting or know someone who is tell them to see a dentist and make sure that they do not have gum disease or m
ake sure it is very controlled and their gums are not bleeding.-So pregnant or not bleeding gums are infections- If you had a toe that was bleeding all the time you would go to the ER to take care of it.  Brushing and flossing help to keep your gums healthy so they don't bleed!
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