Your Quality of Life Might Suffer with Gum Disease

Your Quality of Life Might Suffer with Gum Disease

Although many people are living with gum disease, if this condition is allowed to progress it can have a variety of negative effects on your life. Later stages of the disease are associated with tooth loss and can cause your face to change shape and sag.

Additionally, gum disease has been linked to other health issues like heart disease, so it should really come as no surprise that researchers have found that gum disease can have a significant impact on a person’s quality of life.

 

Recent Research Regarding Gum Disease and Life Quality

Researchers have found that people living with gum disease experience reduced quality of life in a variety of ways. Many people with advanced stages have difficulty with speaking, including pronouncing words correctly and proper articulation. Advanced gum disease could also affect the flavor and taste of certain food items, causing you to no longer enjoy your favorite dishes like you use to.

Additionally, people with advanced gum disease can also feel embarrassed, insecure, and self-conscious about their oral health status, so much so that they may isolate themselves or allow it to affect their ability to complete their typical daily activities.

According to the American Academy of Periodontology, it has long been known that gum disease can result in tooth loss, but this study is the first of its kind to show that the condition can affect the overall quality of life. For this reason, periodontists are encouraged to continue to push their patients to properly care for their teeth.

This includes brushing twice a day, flossing daily, and having frequent periodontal evaluations. If improving the quality of life isn’t enough of a motivator on its own, patients should be reminded that gum disease prevention can also reduce the risk of diabetes, heart disease, and some types of cancer.

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