More Benefits of Brushing

Gum disease can lead to your losing much more than your teeth. A British study of almost 65,000 patients reported that people with a history of periodontal disease were much more likely to develop autoimmune diseases, diabetes, and heart disease. Gum disease raised the risk for mental health conditions most of all. It can cause systemic inflammation in the body and brain, which contributes to these conditions. But other factors associated with gum disease—bad breath, loss of teeth, and drifting of teeth—may also trigger anxiety or depression in patients by making them too shy to socialize. So next time you’re tempted to put off a dental visit, remember that it may prevent more than a cavity.