Did you know there are over 300 species of bacteria that live in the mouth? Well there are, and bacteremia is a condition that results from the presence of bacteria in the blood that, once present, can travel from the mouth to different parts of the body including the heart, lungs, and joints.
This can be dangerous to your health for many reasons. For one thing, it is important to have a clean mouth with healthy gums. Having healthy gums leads to having a healthy body, and if your gums are not in tip-top shape, studies have shown diseases that link unhealthy gums to bacteremia include heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and respiratory disease.
Bacteremia can occur during routine brushing and chewing, but it is usually not dangerous. Sometimes it is caused by extractions or serious dental procedures. Not to worry though- we will give you antibiotics if we suspect there is even a slight chance of this.
If you are concerned about the health of your gums, you should have no fears. These concerns can easily be put to rest with a quick phone call to set up an appointment with your dentist and hygienist. They are, after all, your best defenses against bacteremia and can help with preventing a build-up of plaque and bacteria inside the mouth.
Something to be aware of, though, is if it is left undetected or untreated, a dangerous form of bacteremia can occur known as bacterial endocarditis. It is a severe life-threatening infection of the inner lining of the heart and valves caused by the bacteremia that comes from other infected parts of your body- like your gums.
And on a final note, diabetics should also take caution because new evidence has shown people with diabetes face a greater risk of gum disease than the general population. Fluctuating blood sugar levels cause a decrease in saliva production and, in turn, increase the risk of gum disease and decay. Therefore, diabetics must keep their gums in peak condition and see their dentists regularly.