Day 68 of 365 | The Carnivore Diet Experiment! Reverses periodontal disease?
Hi friends: It’s day 68 of 365 of the carnivore diet experiment! One of the unexpected benefits of the carnivore diet is healthier teeth and gums.
I have periodontal disease…the beginning stages of it. I have had it for 20 years now. Apparently, this is very common.
What Is Periodontal Disease? According to colgateprofessional.com, “Perio” means around, and “dontal” refers to teeth. Periodontal diseases are infections of the structures around the teeth, which include the gums, periodontal ligament and alveolar bone. In the earliest stage of periodontal disease — gingivitis — the infection affects the gums. In more severe forms of the disease, all of the tissues are involved.
If your hands bled when you washed them, you would be concerned. Yet, many people think it’s normal if their gums bleed when they brush or floss.
Swollen and bleeding gums are early signs that your gums are infected with bacteria. If nothing is done, the infection can spread and destroy the structures that support your teeth in your jawbone. Eventually, your teeth can become so loose that they have to be extracted.
For many years scientists have been trying to figure out what causes periodontal disease. It is now well accepted that various types of bacteria in dental plaque are the major villains. Researchers also are learning more about how an infection in your gums can affect your overall health.
Researchers are studying possible connections between gum disease and:
Atherosclerosis and heart disease — Gum disease may increase the risk of clogged arteries and heart disease, although the extent of this connection is unclear. Gum disease also is believed to worsen existing heart disease.
Stroke — Gum disease may increase the risk of the type of stroke that is caused by blocked arteries.
Diabetes — People with diabetes and periodontal disease may be more likely to have trouble controlling their blood sugar than diabetics with healthy gums.
Respiratory disease— Gum disease may cause lung infections and worsen existing lung conditions when bacteria from the mouth reach the lungs.
What Causes Periodontal Disease?
Periodontal disease is caused by bacteria in dental plaque, the sticky substance that forms on your teeth a couple of hours after you have brushed. Interestingly, it is your body’s response to the bacterial infection that causes most of the problems. In an effort to eliminate the bacteria, the cells of your immune system release substances that cause inflammation and destruction of the gums, periodontal ligament or alveolar bone. This leads to swollen, bleeding gums, signs of gingivitis (the earliest stage of periodontal disease), and loosening of the teeth, a sign of severe periodontitis (the advanced stage of disease).
Prevention
Practicing good oral hygiene and visiting your dentist regularly (about once every six months, or more often if you have gum disease) can prevent periodontal disease. Daily brushing and flossing, when done correctly, help remove most of the plaque from your teeth. Professional cleanings by your dentist or dental hygienist will keep plaque under control in places that are harder for a toothbrush or floss to reach.
If oral hygiene slips or dental visits become irregular, plaque builds up on the teeth and eventually spreads below the gum line. There, the bacteria are protected because your toothbrush can’t reach them. Good flossing may help dislodge the plaque; but if it is not removed, the bacteria will continue to multiply, causing a more serious infection. The buildup of plaque below the gum line leads to inflammation of the gums. As the gum tissues become more swollen, they detach from the tooth forming a space, or “pocket,” between the tooth and gums. In a snowball effect, the pockets encourage further plaque accumulation since it becomes more difficult to remove plaque. If left untreated, the inflammatory response to the plaque bacteria may spread to the periodontal ligament and alveolar bone, causing these structures to be destroyed.
I was diagnosed with this disease 2o years. I have been in attack mode ever since in an effect to prevent it from going into the advanced stages. Let’s just say that it has not gotten any worse but it has not improved. Things were at a standstill. I was told by the dentist that is the goal for it to not get worse.
I have practiced superior oral dental hygiene and I go for cleaning every three months. I brush my teeth three times and day, floss and floss with an waterpik. However, my gums still bleed.
I have noticed that at this two-month mark in the carnivore diet my gums no longer bleed. Actually, I am excited to go to my next dental appointment. I wonder what my dental hygienist will say. When I would brush and rinse my mouth there was always blood. Also after cleaning and rinsing, I would always joke that the sink looked like murder. Not anymore. Something is happening with my gums and teeth. Healing is happening. I wonder how many other carnivores are experiencing this.
I owe this change to better nutrition. Zero sugar is the key here also. All of the nutrients in the meat that I have been eating has been helping me to have healthier gums and mouth. I wonder if this carnivore diet can reverse my periodontal disease. I will keep you posted.
Today’s dinner was steak and scrambled eggs!
Carnivore diet experiment 30 days of 365 update!
Carnivore diet experiment 60 days of 365 update!
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